For many people, suicide is a touchy subject that we sometimes deal with by ignoring it, just because it is “too depressing” and we do not want to hear about it. But, whether people accept it or not, suicide is still a problem that faces many people across America. The saddest part is that people who struggle with suicide and self-harm may be the people we interact with every day, but they put on a fake smile and try to act like everything is okay even though they feel like their life does not matter. They do not want anyone else to feel this way, so they cover it up until things get so low that too many people have taken their own lives. Some people say, “Oh they were weak, and they’re cowards for doing that” But sometimes, you just don’t know what can bring a person to that level; you just don’t understand how they feel.

As I said before, not many people want to stand up and address this problem that plagues our society. But one man did, and that man was Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, also known to us as the rapper Logic. This year, Logic released a song by the title of “1800-273-8255” which at first many people did not realize is the number for the National Suicide hotline. The song begins by talking about his personal struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, saying “I feel like my life ain’t mine” and “I don’t wanna be alive”. For many listeners, this song came off as “depressing” and made them want to turn it off because it would bring them down, but for thousands of people around the nation, this song touched them because that is exactly how they feel.

Logic should be awarded for his courageous act of raising awareness of this major problem. Because not only did his song spread awareness, but his performance at the VMAs moved everyone as he brought out suicide attempt survivors wearing shirts with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's number. Because of this, the suicide lifeline received 50% more calls than it ever did before. That means so many people were moved by his song, that they got help and called the Suicide Prevention Lifeline in order to get help with their problems. This is the power that one person can have with one song.

Logic’s song and performance have already helped thousands of lives around the nation. But we need to continue to spread his message in the hopes of helping everyone who struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. We need to spread this message so that everyone knows they are not alone because there are so many people worldwide who feel this way and we need to reach out a hand and help them because no human being deserves to feel this way. It does not matter what race or gender you are, your life does matter. If anyone reading this is feeling this way, I hope you know that you are loved, your life does matter, and that you deserve to be alive.

And if you feel like your life is on the line, just remember Logic’s song.

1-800-273-8255

The National Suicide Prevention Line