Music has the power to raise awareness of global issues. One prime example of this is Logic’s “1-800-273-8255”, which centers in on suicide prevention and has spiked the number of calls the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) receives.

Many people turn to music when they are feeling all sorts of emotions, whether they are in a time of happiness, optimism, darkness, or sorrow. Music can lift a person’s spirits or engulf them in a sea of emotions.

“1-800-273-8255” does just that.

The song by Logic, which features Alessia Cara and Khalid, proves that music has the ability to impact our culture and people’s emotions, specifically in the realm of suicide prevention. Released on April 28, 2017, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number titled track continues to positively impact the lives of those struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Specifically, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) performance of the song on August 27, 2017 resulted in a lasting impression, significantly raising the number of calls to the NSPL, which operates about 160 crisis hotline centers across the country. According to Variety, calls are up 33% when compared to last year, 2016.

John Draper, the director of the NSPL since 2004, said that the organization “had the second-highest call volume in the history of [their] service the day of the song’s release.”

“[T]he song made a difference,” he adds.

Not only did the VMAs performance inflate the number of calls to the NSPL, but it also delivered the important message to those struggling with thoughts of suicide that they are not alone. During the performance, about 50 suicide attempt survivors from the Los Angeles area stood onstage wearing shirts featuring the 1-800 number on the front and on the back was the message: “You Are Not Alone.”

You can watch the VMAs performance here: https://youtu.be/BLe1dddgZrg

Logic and his team did ask the NSPL if they could use their number for the song, and Draper was more than happy to grant permission, as he wanted people to know that this service was out there for them.

Both the release of Logic’s song and the performance at the VMAs have been able to shed light on the importance of raising suicide awareness and make a considerable difference in many lives.

All of this is not to say that other musical artists in the industry have to precisely follow Logic’s example, but instead should get inspired and motivated to do something similar for the greater good. Tons of people look up to certain artists and admire them for their work, so why shouldn’t artists use their platforms to reach out to those who may be in need of some lifting up?

Creative Commons photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frf_kmeron/24479196663/