Thanks to rapper Logic, the number of suicides has decreased in the USA –

The track “1-800-273-8255” by American rapper Logic had a beneficial effect for several weeks on the suicide rate in the United States according to a study published in the British Medical Journey Study.

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AFP

Released on April 28, 2017, “1-800-273-8255” is one of American rapper Logic’s best-known songs. Its title refers to the telephone number of the American Suicide Prevention Center. And during the few months that it was in the media, this song prevented several hundred suicides in the United States.

According to a study published in The British Medical Journey Study, in the 34 days after Logic’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 27, 2017, the number of calls to the suicide prevention center increased by 6.9% compared to usual, 9,915 more calls. At the same time, the number of suicides in the United States fell by 5.5% (or 245) compared to a more or less stable average usually.

“A notable increase” in calls

There have been “A notable increase” calls, says the study, which highlights the media attention that the song received and which “Put forward your message – that suicide prevention assistance is available and effective”. “The main problem with suicide prevention work is that stories of hope and healings get much less media coverage than stories of the dead.”.

Logic’s song therefore had beneficial effects. The track remained in the US top 10 for several weeks, reaching 3rd shortly after its performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, around the same time the study highlights the drop in the suicide rate.

« Runaway Train »

This song and its impact is reminiscent of the title “Runaway Train” by the rock group Soul Asylum released in 1993. In its music video, it showed children and teenagers who had run away from their homes, with a phone number listed at the end of the song. the video for anyone who saw these people. The clip, which was looped on MTV, had solved many cases.

> In Belgium, the line for the suicide prevention center is 0800/32 123

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