I’ll call your mom. These four words are repeated eight times in the song “Call Your Mom”. These four words could save a life.

In the song, Kahan directly tackles the mental health issues that plague society today. He sings from the perspective of someone who is watching a loved one grapple with thoughts of suicide, and presumably an attempt. Kahan sympathizes with this person saying, “Oh, dear, don’t be discouraged/I’ve been exactly where you are”. Kahan also emphasizes doing whatever it takes to find a reason to keep going. Do absolutely anything you need to do, give yourself reason to live. 

But most importantly, he will call your mom. 

As someone who has experienced mental illness and suicidal thoughts, I can attest firsthand the last thing I wanted was for someone to call my mom. 

When I was deep in my depression, all I wanted to do was hide. I did not want my mom to worry. I did not want my mom to make me get help. I was scared of what my mom would think. I wanted to avoid the awkward and scary conversation that would arise. 

But, you should always call their mom.

No one should have to suffer in silence. No one deserves to feel so hopeless or unwanted. Suicide is not a joke. If you hear someone say something or see them start acting differently, take it seriously. One off comment could be a cry for help. Call their mom. 

No one ever called my mom.

I wish someone did. 

I would not have suffered in silence for so long if just one person said something. I am not angry at anyone. I understand the fear that comes with speaking up. The fear you could be wrong. The fear they will never talk to you again.

But at the end of the day, I would rather have a friend never speak to me again because I called their mom, than never speak to me again because they are dead.

Thank you Noah Kahan.