Celebration all round for Linkin Park's Chester Bennington

On this hard day marks Linkin Park's late frontman Chester Bennington on what would have been his 43rd birthday. Many fans have taken to social media to spread the love and spread #iamthechange in honor of him and to spread mental health awareness.

Chester Bennington, American singer songwriter best known for being lead vocalist of rock band Linkin Park and is regarded as one of the top rock musicians of the 2000s.

Mental Health awareness is unfortunately still a topic that is stimgmatised by some, and forgotten about by many. Mental health effects everyone. Statistics from Mental Health Awareness 2018 (10th October) show that in Britain alone, 16 million people are suffering from mental health. It is shown that people with low income households are more likely to suffer from mental illness averaging at 27% of men and 42% of women in the lowest income bracket, experienced mental illness comparing to 15% of men and 25% of women in the highest income bracket.

However it is proven that men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women in Britain. In the Republic of Ireland men are four times as likely to take their own life. Across Britain and Ireland roughly around 6'000 people take their own lives which is an average of 18 suicides per day. These statistics as shocking as they are, are a very vast reason why prevention is key!

A factor in youths for mental illness and suicide is bullying. Studies from 2018 shows that teenage suicide in England and Wales had increased 67% since 2010, and show a 15% up-rise in suicide for under 19s from the previous year. With more than 4 suicides a week, the number of teenagers and children that took their own lives in 2017 was the highest it had been in 14 years. In 2018 it was found that 15% of young suicide deaths were a result of suffering neglect or abuse were as, roughly 22% was the result of bullying. 35% of those who are bullied state that their school dealt with the bullying not very well or really badly in 2018 which is compared to 12% in previous years.

After Chester Bennington's death, his family started a mental health movement. A movement that in time will change people's lives. His wife Talinda Bennington, took to twitter to share the 320 movement, days after his death. It is a campaign that she created, so that everyone could be there for each other. It is a way to try and combat suicide in people and to create a community where people feel safe enough to ask for help. It is also the campaign to change direction, a way for people to look out for the 5 potentially harmful signs in loved ones, including changes in personality, agitation, withdrawal, hopelessness and a decline in personal care.

Without stigma and secrecy, the stigma of mental health would disappear. People would feel like they could reach out and ask for help and unfortunately it took the suicide of the beloved Chester Bennington to spark such a movement, which has started with his fans... but spread through to online communities.

With this day, comes sadness, heartbreak and celebration. But let this be a lesson that you can help. It starts with you. And if you're a Linkin Park fan, well to you I say... what are you doing to #MAKECHESTERPROUD today?