Talinda Bennington-Friedman, whose Linkin Park frontman husband died of suicide in 2017, wants to further normalize mental health conversations and provide resources for those in need.

• Mar 11, 2020

AceShowbiz - Chester Bennington's widow Talinda wants to normalise mental health conversations and provide resources for those in need and their families with a festival she is launching in Los Angeles in May.

Talinda Bennington-Friedman established the 320 Changes Direction organisation after the Linkin Park frontman's death via suicide in 2017, to help raise awareness and funding to tackle mental health issues.

Now she has teamed up with Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman to launch the first ever 320 Festival, to be held at the L.A. Live venue on 9 May.

"We are thrilled to announce the 320 Festival and welcome all to L.A. LIVE on May 9th! Come join us for a day dedicated to normalizing mental health conversations and providing resources," Talinda announced on Twitter.

Discussing why she launched the organisation with the AltPress website last month, Talinda said she had to watch her late husband struggle with mental health issues, with little help.

"For 13 years I watched my husband Chester struggle with depression and substance use," she explained. "I often felt scared and alone. I was uneducated about the challenges he faced and I wanted information, but finding answers to my questions and available help for our family was very difficult."

"We need to change the culture of mental health so that those in need - and their family members - are able to speak openly about their struggles so that they can seek the care they deserve."

The 320 Festival will include a mental health summit, music and a film event, and all the profits will go to 320's non-profit partner organisations.