Logic Song “1-800-273-8255” Linked To Drop In Suicides Among Teens

While it’s said that music heals, new data has showed that the Logic song “1-800-273-8255” has led to a drop in hundreds of teen suicides after the song’s release and performance on TV.

Named after the number for the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the song has generated strong public attention since its two national performances at the 2017 MTV Video Awards and 2018’s Grammys and has since garnered over one billion streams on Spotify alone.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showed that nearly 10,000 additional calls were made just days after the performances, as well as a 6.9% increase of call volume, a 10% rise in online Google searches for Lifeline, and a 5.5% decrease or 245 fewer suicides from U.S. individuals aged 10-19.

Related: Can Listening To This Song Help Get Rid Of Your Pain?

“All these events gave widespread public attention to the message of the song – that help from Lifeline is available and effective,” the researchers said. “Suicide prevention and education efforts must harness positive media to educate the general public and high risk groups about suicide prevention without doing harm to individuals at risk. But a major dilemma for research in this area has been that stories of hope and recovery receive much less media coverage than stories of suicide death.”

Additionally, the song – which features Alessia Cara and Khalid – remained in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 U.S. music charts for several weeks in 2017, peaking at number three in September 2017.

“1-800-273-8255” – Logic ft. Alessia Cara, Khalid

[Video: Logic]

Researchers also addressed additional variables that could have affected the data. April 2017 to January 2018 saw several high-profile suicides, including Chris Cornell, Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Chester Bennington, and more. Additionally, Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why drew national criticism for its portrayal of suicide and depression, possibly correlating a counteractive increase in suicides during the three months after the show’s release.

Regardless, social media trends and local suicide statistics showed an overall decrease in suicide rates during the 34-day tracking period surrounding the song’s release and performances. This data is directly after its release in 2017, so it’s a wonder how many lives the rapper has helped save since then.

“To know that my music was actually affecting people’s lives, truly, that’s what inspired me to make the song,” Logic told CNN. “We did it from a really warm place in our hearts to try to help people. And the fact that it actually did, that blows my mind.”

You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and chat online here. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. For more information, visit the organization’s website. Click here to read the full BMJ study.

[H/T The Guardian]