Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic appeared on the ‘I’m Listening’ suicide prevention broadcast over the weekend. Alternative Nation transcribed his comments.
“In 1994 we lost Kurt Cobain to suicide. Many people are suicide loss survivors, these are the families, friends, and even bandmates who have lost someone to suicide. Mourning the loss of a loved one who took their own life can be confusing. There is pain, anger, guilt, a jumble of emotions that one deals with when surviving a loss of suicide. I don’t want anyone to go through this.
Here are the risk factors that could leave a loved one to suicide. Experts tell us depression, substance abuse, and any family history of suicide are some of the factors that can lead one to take their own life. We need to pay attention to all risk factors, and here’s one I want to point to, being exposed to other suicidal behavior, such that of family members, peers, or celebrities.
For lack of a better term, this could be referred to as a copycat situation. It’s hard enough to lose great musicians through suicide, that fans could also think about ending their own lives is just too much. If you are feeling bad and losing hope, please don’t forget that every musician is a music fan themselves. Every one, we are all in this together. You are not alone, and I’m listening. There are people that can help you. There is a lot of great music out there to discover as either a fan, a musician, or both.
There is a lot to live for, the tragedy of a suicide loss survivor is all of the love for the person who took their own life is still there. That love was always there and it shows that suicide is really a waste. Don’t do it, there is hope. This hope reveals itself and is as simple as every time you turn up the music.”
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are dealing with mental health issues, you can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or enter their live chat.
