Before I start let me state this catagorically, that in no way do I support the actions apparently taken by Chris Benoit. He was a great wrestler and hero to many but killing should never ever be an option no matter what the situation.
I have read many posts regarding this tagic event from fans, critics, a few people who knew him and just people who were venting their own grief. Many people have suggested theories and conspiricies relating to these events but overall from the preliminary reports, and it pains me to say this, it appears that Benoit may have committed suicide and the murder of his wife and child.
These are not the actions of the caring and motivated man that other wrestlers and friends knew. There was something very, very wrong with Benoit when these evetns occurred.
Mental health is a major issue in this stressed out, postmodern world we live in today. Many circumstances in life lead to the people being diagnosed with depression, post traumatic stress disorder, PCSD or bipolar. From the reports that I have read there seem to have been some major things going on in Benoit's life over the course of a long period of time.
The first major incident was the death of Eddie. Eddie was his best and closest friend, they were like brothers. He loved him. This loss obviously devasted Benoit and yet he still worked for a while after it.
The Work, Benoit for a long time after eddies death worked in an environment where the death of his closest friend was paraded around as a storyline for almost a year. Could you imagine working in a place, that contributed to the death of your best mate, while that death is trivialised in a series of stories.
The Road, Put simply how any of these guys live away from home for 300 days a year is beyond me. The impact of this must have been huge on man who had already given so much of his life to the business, being away from his wife and sick kid must have been terrible.
Despite these factors other signs were also present, His delayed contract signing, 5 month leave of absence last year, a seeming dissatistfaction with the work he had given his life to. Even his in ring work seemed somehow different over the last year. Something was going on.
From what I understand Chris was a very private person, he didn't want to burden other peopl with his problems but was always there for others. Surely someone, somewhere must have clicked that something was not right. We can sit here in judgement all we like and blame the man for actions we deem abhorant, but in the depths of severe depression who knows what might have been going on inside his mind. As I said before these are not the actions of a loving caring man.
My question is this, WWE has a wellness policy relating to drugs and the physical well being of there staff but do they have a policy relating to the mental health needs of thier performers?
300 days a year away from family, up to 5 or 6 shows a week, numerous physical injuries and constant pain. With so many wrestlers dead before 45 from drug usage and suicide, If they don't have such a policy WHY DON'T THEY!!!! They can't expect their staff to work like this and be OK all the time.
My only hope is, that if Chris Benoit did this the media Focusses not on the "roid rage" angle but rather this he might have been a very sick man. Someone who had serious mental health issues that nobody picked up on despite some pretty big warning signs.
Mental Health is a growing problem worldwide and if just one person seeks help and is stopped from doing something similar then the world just might be a better place.
BTW: I am not a proffessional in this feild just someone who has suffered from depression.