This week on our shameless mental health podcast. . . We explore the mental health of famous musicians Kurt Cobain, Chester Bennington, and Chris Cornell. What led each of them to ultimately take their own lives? Surprisingly, the three of them had very similar childhood backgrounds and similar struggles as adults. Could these similarities have played into their suicides? We also take a deeper look at some of their lyrics, and how some of them foreshadowed their own deaths. Were these warning signs obvious, or is it only apparent when looking back? All this in today's episode! SUICIDE HOTLINE: If you feel like ending your life, the suicide hotline is a free phone number you can call 24/7 to speak to someone that cares. I am not ashamed to admit that I have called this number in the past and found it very helpful. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Phone Number: 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ CONTACT USHave a question or comment? Do you want us to answer your anonymous advice question on the podcast? Write to us at [email protected] our website: www.thejeremyjudepodcast.com FOR YOUR LISTENING CONVENIENCE:Podbean: thejeremyjudepodcast.podbean.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11u0b1sXHJSV8w6sE732kj?si=SfRYDN3cQDOww32yMtbwzAItunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jeremy-jude-podcast/id1464087509Google Play Music: https://play.google.com/music/m/Ics22koj3x5xf3eiq5le77k4xna?t=The_Jeremy_Jude_Podcast REFERENCES MENTIONED: EPISODE NOTES:Kurt Cobain, Chester Bennington, Chris Cornell Kurt Cobain (1967 - 1994); death by suicide gunshot to headHis band formed in 1987 in SeattleHeroin addiction and depression (some said bipolar)GEN X ICON!Began singing at Age 2Two of his uncles committed suicide Significant life event - parents divorced when he was age 9; Father remarried and had baby; mom had an abusive boyfriend (she ended up in ER with broken arm); Kurt not only felt like his family was broken but he also felt left out after his father new baby; Became defiant and withdrawn after the divorce Friends with a gay student in high school: many questioned his sexuality; Said that he was “gay in spirit” and could very well be “bisexual.” 1993 - Heroin O/D; Saved by Courtney LoveLeft a suicide note: “I’m too much of an erratic, moody baby. I don’t have the passion anymore and so remember it’s better to burn out than fade away.”. He also had an undiagnosed stomach condition which caused him pain; the heroin made him feel better; but some questioned if the heroin just worsened his stomach problemsBefore the suicide, his guitarist (Krist) described Kurt as being:Really quietEstranged from RelationsNot connecting with others Some conspiracy theories that he was murdered/murdered for hire? Lyrics from “You Know You’re Right”I will never bother youI will never promise tooI will never follow youI will never bother you Never speak a word againI will crawl away for good…No thought was put into thisI always knew it would come to this Chris Cornell (7/20/64 - 5/18/17) Known for roles in Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog (Soundgarden formed in 1984)Born in SeattleFather was pharmacist and mom was an accountant and psychicFrom the ages 9-11 helisted to the Beatles and described himself as a loner Teen Years:DepressedDropped out of schoolAlmost never left the house (agoraphobia)Used drugs starting at age 13 (mushrooms, LSD, alcohol, RX Drugs) At age 14, had a bad PCP experience leading to panic and agoraphobia (had flashbacks) 1994 - Superunknown (Soundgardent) - breakthrough album; #1 on Billboard 200 Struggled with RX and alcohol addiction In 1999 he said, “You’ll think someone has run of the mill depression, and then the next thing you know they’re hanging from a rope.” Suicide by hanging; in Detroit MI on 5/18/17 - after a show; used exercise band in room He made a phone call to wife and wife described him as slurring and acting different than usual; she also stated that he said he may have taken or two extra Ativan pills; Last thing he said “I am just tired.” Only had therapeutic doses of his prescription meds at time of death He had a Youtube Video “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” which was removed from Youtube; Showed him surviving a hanging 2 months later; Chester Bennington committed suicide, also by hanging, on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday Toni Cornell - singing Hallelujah on Youtube (GMA) Lyrics from Pretty Noose:Diamond rope silver chainPretty noose is a pretty painAnd I don't like What you got me hanging from Chester Bennington(3/20/76 - 7/20/17) Born in Phoenix ArizonaMom was a nurse; dad a police detective on child abuse cases Sexually abused by an older male friend starting when he was age 7; continued until he was 13He was scared to talk about the abuse out of fear that people would think he was gay; and also because he thought people would think he was lying He found solace in poetry and song Abused alcohol, marijuana, opioids, cocaine, meth and LSD Parents divorced when he was age 11; felt urge to kill people and run away Bullied in high school: skinny and looked different Summer 2003 - abdominal pains; GI issues… also had wrist and shoulder injuries - some of these injuries affected the band and tour dates Sang at Chris Cornell’s funeral - hallelujah - can listen to this on Youtube :) Housekeeper found his body on 7/20/17; He only had a trace amount of alcohol in his system Lyrics from “Easier to Run”Something has been takenFrom deep inside of meA secret I’ve kept locked awayNo one can ever seeWounds so deep they never showThey never go awayLike moving pictures in my headFor years and years they’ve played Lyrics from “Somehwere I Belong”I will never know myself until I do this on my ownAnd I will never feelAnything else until my wounds are healedI will never beAnything ’til I break away from meAnd I will break away, and find myself today One More Light LyricsIf they sayWho cares if one more light goes out?In a sky of a million starsIt flickers, flickersWho cares when someone's time runs out?If a moment is all we areWe're quicker, quickerWho cares if one more light goes out?Well I do HELPFUL RESOURCES:TALKSPACE: Talkspace is an App where you can text or video call a licensed therapist for a monthly subscription fee. Though it’s not cheap, it can be worth it for those with busy and ever-changing work schedules. https://www.talkspace.com/ BETTERHELP: Betterhelp is another app where you can text or video call a licensed therapist for a monthly subscription fee. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may find this resource more helpful than Talkspace.https://www.betterhelp.com/ PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: This website is where Psychologists and other mental health professionals write articles related to mental health. It can also be used to locate a therapist in your area. On our podcast, we often refer to their articles since we find them to be insightful and easy to digest. The link below is to their article index so you can find an article related to any mental health topic you would like to know more about. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics 16 PERSONALITIES (FREE TEST): This is similar to the Myers-Briggs test, but I find the layout to be a lot more modern and easy to understand. I think this is very helpful for those that are trying to understand their strengths and weaknesses a bit more. It’s a good place to start!https://www.16personalities.com/ HEADSPACE: Headspace is a meditation app for the modern world. The lessons on the app make it easy to understand meditation for beginners. While it is not free, if you are a student, it is very, very affordable! https://www.headspace.com/ EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE 2.0: I highly recommend this book for those of you wanting to increase your emotional intelligence. The way it is written is simple and to the point. I consider it an “emotions 101” crash course. The link provided is to the company that created this and other resources related to emotional intelligence. They also have a paid emotional intelligence test on their website. https://www.talentsmart.com/products/emotional-intelligence-2.0/ THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE: As discussed in some of our podcasts, John Gottman is considered the marriage expert due to his ability to predict divorce with over 90% accuracy! The link provided is to his website full of helpful resources for couples and parents. I highly recommend his books. https://www.gottman.com/ SUICIDE HOTLINE: If you feel like ending your life, the suicide hotline is a free phone number you can call 24/7 to speak to someone that cares. I am not ashamed to admit that I have called this number in the past and found it very helpful. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Phone Number: 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
