GH’s Maurice Benard Pays Tribute To His Late Friend Tyler Christopher On SOM

Fans of General Hospital have had an extremely difficult week because of Tyler Christopher’s passing. His friends and family, who are still coping with his passing, had it even harder. Many have attempted to turn their grief into something constructive by posting heartfelt tributes on social media. At the start of the State of Mind episode that was reposted of Christopher, Maurice Benard did what he does best: he spoke from the heart, talked about their final meeting, and gave fans hope.

Maurice Benard: Remembering A Friend

Maurice Benard, also known as Sonny, announced Tyler Christopher’s passing on Instagram on October 31, 2023. The actor’s struggles were particularly poignant in light of the news. In March 2022, they had an insightful chat on Benard’s SOM video podcast, during which the Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor opened up about his battles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.

Benard reshared the actor’s heartwarming story as an homage to his dear friend, adding a heartfelt note to fans at the end of the performance about loss and grief. “My friend Tyler Christopher passed away, if you haven’t heard. And since I know he would have approved, I’m going to post his state of Mind in his honor.

The mental health advocate addressed the core of the matter while looking straight into the camera—a skill he possesses. “People enquire about my approach to handling death. Many people experience loss. A lot of people experience temporary sadness. Benard offered an observant perspective on his approach to grieving. As I usually say, I try to imagine what they would have wanted. As if my father would have preferred that I celebrate, be joyful, and avoid being depressed. I believe that everyone who has passed away would have desired the same thing. I have had a lot of people pass away.

He shared specifics about his most recent meeting with Christopher, whom he referred to as his “BB” (Bipolar Brother) with affection. Find out how his friend visited Benard, his son Joshua, and his small puppy Vito during the evening. The host described the troubled actor having a lengthy and in-depth conversation about life, his kids, and his future plans. He had a sneaking suspicion that this would be his final visit.

“He drove off, and I just started crying because I thought that was the last time I would ever see him. Yes, it was. He had one last message for the fans as he started to cry. “I know this is what Tyler would have wanted me to say, so I’m going to say it now. In the event that someone you know is currently struggling with addiction, alcoholism, or mental illness, never forget that you are stronger than you realize and that you should just keep going. however challenging it may be. You enable the unthinkable to happen. You simply don’t give up. Proceed with caution. Life is too valuable. All I have is that.

Learn more about Tyler Christopher’s courage, intensity, and struggles from Benard’s perspective. After that, watch the moving episode again where the actor candidly shared his journey to hell and back to help viewers gain a deeper comprehension of addiction and mental health.

In times of difficulty or crisis, assistance is accessible. ‘MHA’ can be texted or chatted to at 988lifeline.org or 741741. Check out niaaa.nih.gov. Or give 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 988 a call.