KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Frontman Taking Time Off To deal With Mental Illness’I Won’t Be Another Statistic Of Suicide’
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach says that he needs time “to get help” after recently informing fans that he and his wife of over 16 years, Melissa, have decided to go separate ways.
Leach, who has been open about his battles with anxiety and depression, took to Instagram Friday night (January 11) to let his followers know that he would be seeking treatment so that he can avoid becoming “another statistic of suicide.”
He wrote: “Until we meet again. I just need time to get help before I can share anything else with you. Thank you to all of you who actually care and understand. Mental illness is a sickness and pair it with a life tragedy and it’s a force that can level you and break you in ways you never ever imagined. I’m getting the help I need starting tomorrow. I won’t be another statistic of suicide!!!!! I’m fighting for my future and I refuse to give up or give in!!! Send vibes, love, prayers, thoughts or whatever please. Let love guide us all. Peace and elbow grease. #ItsOkNotToBeOk #NoYouMayNotUnderstand #Mentalillness #IAmBrokenToo #thewaybackwithin #JesseLeach #MentalBreakdown #SeekingBalance #Selfcare #RealTalk #Grateful #Broken #CrisisMode #ThankYou”
2018 was a tough year for Leach, who underwent surgery on his vocal cords to remove nodules in April, and dealt with depression, anxiety, and “full-on mental breakdowns” throughout the rest of the year. Although these setbacks had an impact on the recording schedule for the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album, Jesseeventually finished laying down his tracks for the effort with the help of guitarist and producer Adam Dutkiewicz, whom he has described as his “musical soulmate.”
Last May, Leach gave a shout-out to his “badass” wife for supporting him through his vocal surgery and for being his “biggest fan, biggest critic, best friend, partner in crime and the love of my damn life.”
Jesse previously revealed that the reason he originally left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2002, after recording two albums, was because “there was definitely something wrong with my head. I was dealing with a depression,” he said. “At that time, it was a pretty lowdown feeling of being alienated, just sort of not being prepared mentally for a life on the road.”
In August, Leach wrote lengthy social media post in which he once again admitted that he had “a mental illness,” adding: ” I too have anxiety, suicidal thoughts, depression and addictions. I do and say things ‘out of character’ when I am mentally ‘high or low’ — it’s just part of the distinction of the illness.”
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE‘s next album will be released later in the year via Metal Blade Records in the U.S. and Sony Music Entertainment in the rest of the world. The follow-up to 2016’s “Incarnate” will mark the Massachusetts metallers’ third full-length effort since the return of Leach, who rejoined the group in 2012.
