Getting Better

Such brave and inspiring words. Thank you for sharing this with us!

Anna Shinoda

I haven’t talked publicly that much about my own mental health. I think in interviews when Learning Not to Drown came out, I may have touched briefly on being in therapy, but I’ve never gone into detail. I am very open with friends about it, but was always afraid of being judged publicly for having my brain. I applauded Chester (especially in the past few months before his death) for being so open in interviews. I was proud of him for being brave. I knew that by describing the way his brain worked, Chester would help others get beyond the stigma of mental health and addiction.

I guess now it’s my turn to be open.

As someone who personally deals with depression and anxiety on a daily basis, I know how important it is to recognize the way my brain works and the things that help me. Personally, therapy has…

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Growing up as LGBTQ+

I am not straight.

It took me a very long period of years to be able to say it out loud. All I ever wanted was to be normal. Just like everyone around me. I cannot really tell when it was, that I first noticed I liked girls the way I was only supposed to like guys.

My mom had talked about homosexuality with me when I was about 7 years old. She had explained to me, that some women like men and some women like women. That there is nothing wrong about it and that I should love who I want to love. When you are young like that, you do not truly understand what it really means to be a lgbtq+ youth. I knew that gay people exist and that it is fine to be gay, but did not think about it any further. It did not come to my mind that it could have anything to do with me personally.

Dear Chester

Almost a week has passed since you left, and I still cannot believe you are gone. Linkin Park has always been more than just a band to me. I started listening to your music when I was only 8 years old and could not even understand any of the lyrics. I grew older and with every step I took, your music has been by my side. The more I understood what the songs are about, the more I fell in love with them. Linkin Park became a very important part of my life, guiding me through the good and the bad times and making me feel better in my very worst moments. It is especially now, that I realize how strong and deep the bond is that I feel with you and your music.