Sources report at least a dozen (12) fan suicides in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death. In a message to grieving fans, Jesse Jackson promoted “Futures, not Funerals” as the best way to deal with the passing of the King of Pop.

The mjjcommunity.com, a popular British fan site spoke to Jesse Jackson about it as Jesse was in the airport, catching a flight. Gary Taylor, the site owner, speculated that the worldwide occurrence might have claimed one Briton. Russian doctors saved one suicidal Jackson impersonator when he’d succumbed to his grief and slit his wrists. Pavel Talalayev allegedly underwent cosmetic surgery to look like Michael Jackson. He said he didn’t know why the doctors had saved him, and he didn’t want to live in a world without Michael. Pavel suffered from a heart attack the next day, and was hospitalized.

One other reported incident comes out of Tunisia, the location of Michael Jackson’s premiere African concert in 1996. A female fan reportedly took pills after watching Michael Jackson videos in her bedroom all day.

For fellow fans that are grief stricken over the loss of Michael Jackson, please remember what Michael always said when we screamed, “I love you, Michael!” He would always reply, “I love you more!” When I heard about these Michael Jackson fans committing suicide, the first thing I said to my boyfriend is that “I love Michael Jackson, but I love me more.”

Michael Jackson’s fan base is strong. We had to be to stand strong through all the accusations that have been hurtled at him over the years. I remember that it took a lot out of me during the child molestation trial, because I just refused to believe what people said about him. He vindicated himself and he vindicated us when he went through that. Please, do not let him down now by giving the world fodder about his “crazy fans.”

Michael wouldn’t want anyone to shed a tear, let alone blood, because of his death. Michael Jackson would have rushed any suicidal fan’s side to tell them that life was worth living. The same message is in his music. Consider the lyric, “If you care enough for the living, make this a better place. Heal the world.” That’s what Michael needs you to do now. Care enough for the living, which includes yourself.

If you are reading this and you’re seriously a grief stricken fan, stricken to a point of suicide, contact me on here to talk about it. If you need inspiration on how to honor Michael, check out If We All Cry at the Same Time and remember his mission. Figure out ways to perpetuate that mission in your own life.