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Khalid From Logic's '1-800-273-8255' Gets Honest About Anxiety

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Khalid, a singer-songwriter featured on Logic’s suicide prevention song, “1-800-273-8255,” recently opened up on Twitter about this own mental health, which started a conversation among his followers.

“Mental health is so important man,” the 19-year-old wrote. “I’m not feeling the best rn and my anxiety is super bad, love u guys.”

He said he was struggling with feeling down, and wanted anyone with an illness to know that it gets better. “I feel you,” he wrote.

He started responding to fans who shared their own mental health stories. Twitter user @kerry_browne said, “I was told I was high-functioning for someone w/GAD & Depression. I ran often to clear my head. Eventually decided to go to therapy. Even went on medication. All of these things played a role in helping. However, the thing that helped the most was not hiding it.”

“You’re strong,” Khalid responded.

When Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255,” which also features singer Alessia Cara, first came out, Khalid tweeted the song was special to him because many of his friends struggle with mental illness.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, half of those who have a mental health condition develop one by age 14, and three quarters by age 24. Research published by the Physicians for a National Health Program found that black youth are about half as likely as their white counterparts to receive mental health care, despite having similar rates of mental health problems.

As a young black man using his platform to be honest about his own mental health, Khalid’s involvement in projects that spread suicide prevention is important. Keep it up, Khalid — we appreciate the honesty.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741.

Image via Wikimedia Commons/MTV International

Originally published: December 18, 2017
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