The MTV Video Music Awards are known as an award show that starts headline-making conversation. This year however, the headlines aren’t anything to do with people making out on stage or someone’s wild outfit. This year, the most talked about moment is undoubtably Logic’s performance of his anti-suicide anthem, “1-800-273-8255” featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid.
“1-800-273-8255” tackles the difficult subject of suicide and suicide prevention. During his performance, Logic thanked his fans for giving him a platform to talk about issues that “mainstream media doesn’t want to talk about: mental health, anxiety, suicide, depression and so much more that [he] talk[s] about on this album. From racism, discrimination, sexism, domestic violence, sexual assault and so much more.” He continued:
I don’t give a damn if you’re black, white or any color in between. I don’t care if you’re Christian, you’re Muslim, you’re gay, you’re straight — I am here to fight for your equality because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight. We must fight for the equality of every man, woman and child regardless of race, religion, color, creed and sexual orientation.
Billboard reports:
It appears the message worked, as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — the number for which is the title of Logic’s song — experienced a 50 percent increase in calls after the performance, according to the Lifeline’s Director of Communications Frances Gonzalez.
Logic was joined on stage by Alessia Cara and Khalid, but he was also joined by 50 more people. These people that took the stage in you are not alone shirts, are suicide attempt survivors and loss survivors from the Los Angeles area. Watching at home, chills covered our body. The performance was truly moving. Did you catch Julia Michaels with tears in her eyes?
This performance will not be forgotten.
We support the message of Logic’s 1-800 track. Knowing that the 1-800 number highlighted in the track does not work in Canada, we offer below the list of resources for Canadians in need of help.
NATIONAL CRISIS HOTLINE
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
HOTLINES BY PROVINCE
BRITISH COLUMBIA CRISIS CENTRE: 1-800-784-2433
ALBERTA DISTRESS CENTRE: 403-266-4357
SASKATCHEWAN: 306-933-6200 // 306-757-0127
MANITOBA SUICIDE LINE: 1-877-435-7170
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES: 867-767-9061
ONTARIO: 416-929-5200 // 1-866-531-2600
QUEBEC: 1-866-277-3553
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR: 1-888-737-4668
NEW BRUNSWICK: 1-800-667-5005
PEI: 1-800-218-2885
NOVA SCOTIA: 1-888-429-8167
NATIONAL RESOURCES
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention 204-784-4073
Canadian Mental Health Association 613-745-7750
Collateral Damage 807-768-5217 Toll Free: 888-835-9041
Mental Health Commission 613-683-3755
Mood Disorders Society of Canada 519-824-5565
Schizophrenia Society of Canada 1-800-263-5545
The Jack Project 416-425-2494
Your Life Counts 289-820-5777
OTHER RESOURCES
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – http://www.camh.ca
Anxiety Panic Support – http://www.anxietypanicsupport.com/
Bell Let’s Talk – https://letstalk.bell.ca