Chester Bennington's Widow Talinda Receives Mental Health Ambassador Award

On Friday (April 24), Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services presented Talinda Bennington-Friedman with the 2020 Mental Health Ambassador Award for her work with 320 Changes Direction — an organization dedicated to her late husband Chester Bennington that strives to educate the public on mental health.

“In July of 2017, I lost my husband, the father of my children, Chester Bennington, to suicide,” she explained upon receiving the award. “After [his death], I quickly realized that there was a lot of stigma surrounding suicide and mental health. And I co-founded 320 Changes Direction in his name."

“I had the privilege to work with the Didi Hirsch Center in many different capacities – by hosting the 5K run as well as doing an Instagram takeover,” she continued. “I could not be more proud of the Didi Hirsch organization and all of the opportunities, resources and support groups that they provide for families in need, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.”

See Talinda's full acceptance speech below.

In January, two-and-a-half years after the late Linkin Park singer's death, Talinda remarried in Oahu, Hawaii. Chester's first band, Grey Daze, also recently honored him by releasing a tribute album that features his vocals.

Photo: Getty Images