Rap song linked to dip in suicide rates
Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
An American rap song has been more than just a hit on the charts, after new research found it had a direct link to more people reaching out for crisis support and a decrease in suicide-related deaths.
1-800-273-8255, a song by American rapper Logic, features the phone number for the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The study, published in the BMJ, found that within 34 days of the song’s release in April 2017, the 2017 MTV Music Video Awards and the 2018 Grammy Awards, the hotline received an increase of 9,915 calls - working out to be an increase of seven percent more than the expected number.
Logic performing ‘1-800-273-8255’ at the VMAs in 2017. Image: Getty Images
These three events generated intense public attention around the song, and within those periods of publicity, the number of suicides in the US decreased by 245.
1-800-273-8255 has been praised for its efforts to end the stigma surrounding mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.
But, the researchers point out that their study is only observational and “can’t establish cause”. They also noted that it was unclear whether the song had any effects beyond the three events where it received peak attention, or whether using social media data captured how many people listened to the song.
Despite this, they say these findings “emphasise the potential population health benefits of working creatively and innovatively” with the music industry to share stories of people seeking help and depicting people coping during times of crisis.
Logic has also been touched by the impact the song has had and the attention it’s brought to suicide prevention.
“We did it from a really warm place in our hearts to try to help people,” he told CNN. “And the fact that it actually did, that blows my mind.”
If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.
Image: Getty Images