Talking openly about suicide does NOT cause more suicides.
The research tells us this. And anecdotally, when we go around & talk about it, we see everyone from 5th grade students to CEOs opening up & asking questions…coming up individually after sessions to talk about their own situations, & how knowledge in this area & just knowing they’re “not alone” w these thoughts, is so comforting.
I’m not quite sure why this study is just coming out now, but research from the British Medical Journal noted that after 3 performances of his song: “1800-273-8255” – debuting in April of 2017, in a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, again in August 2017, & a later performance at the Grammy Awards in January of 2018, the suicide prevention hotline saw an increase of 9,915 calls, collectively, in the roughly 30 days that followed each. That’s a 6.9% increase vs average – a significant lift.
The song’s release (first performance) was also associated w a nearly 10% rise in online searches for Lifeline in the 28 days after.
When we talk openly about suicide, we see more help-seeking behaviors take place. But diving even deeper – when the talk is about the individual – when there is openness & vulnerability – that’s where the real connections are made & the support is given.
I’ve been to a ton of suicide prevention workshops – & the focus is almost exclusively on how we help others – what signs to look out for…what questions to ask…how we bring ppl to safety.
But…very little is done to talk about what the thoughts themselves feel like for the individual having them…the “error messages” they feel like they have to fight off.
I’m so happy to hear that Logic’s song (which comes from a first person perspective), is showing that it has increased help-seeking behaviors. It’s way better than putting the # up on a poster, alone. Talking about the lived experience is where the connections take place & where behavior is changed for the better. It’s why we bring the L.I.F.E. Saver tool to every school we visit. This is a topic we HAVE to address, from first hand experience.
Not being afraid to discuss it, will save more lives!
