ICYMI: Suicide Prevention Efforts made an appearance center-stage at the Grammys!
Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to highlight a moment on TV that caught my eye last night. I had the 2018 Grammy Awards on in the background, when all of a sudden I saw a phone number being displayed all over the stage. It was a phone number that was familiar - 1-800-273-8255.
The Grammy performance was "1-800-273-8255" by Logic.
What is that number?
It's the national suicide prevention hotline. This number can be dialed anywhere in the united states, and it will connect you with a trained crisis professional (often in the local area). This individual on the other side of the line will talk with you and help you assess your options, level of need, and help guide you towards safety.
This service is indispensable, and has helped thousands upon thousands of people.
It makes a mental health provider like me so happy to see information like this brought more into the focus of the general public, whether through art, activism, or just general discussion. This helps tremendously in our efforts to dismantle the stigma around mental illness.
Following the release of this song in April 2017, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline reported they received over 4500 calls for help (a 27% increase) the very next day. Just think about that for a moment.
Please check out their website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information. In additional to their call in service, they also have a chat service, as well as a division dedicated specifically for Veteran services.
Lastly, please file away that number somewhere in the back of your mind. It can certainly save a life, and someday could be exactly the piece of information to share with a friend in need.
