WASHINGTON, D.C – Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and the National Council for Behavioral Health today announced that 150,000 people were trained in Mental Health First Aid as part of their joint effort to spread awareness and empower people to help those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.
Mental Health First Aid USA, a groundbreaking program of the National Council for Behavioral Health, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges and crises. More than 1 million people across the United States have been trained in the program thus far.
“The partnership with Born This Way Foundation and the National Council really struck a chord,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “Lady Gaga is not only one of America’s biggest and brightest stars – she has lived experience. Her courage and vulnerability have provided inspiration to people and they responded to her rallying cry by becoming trained in Mental Health First Aid.”
Born This Way Foundation was co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, to empower youth to create a kinder, braver world. As part of the Foundation’s Channel Kindness Tour – a five-month series of youth engagement events and community gatherings – Mental Health First Aid trainings were held along all U.S. stops of Lady Gaga’s Joanne World Tour.
“Everyone should feel empowered to share their story and discuss their mental wellness without fear of judgment and everyone should know how to respond when they see someone in crisis,” said Cynthia Germanotta, President and Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation. “Mental Health First Aid is a powerful tool to help demystify mental health and break down barriers to treatment.”