Sometimes it takes a celebrity to shed some attention on important issues. Horizon Health Services thought that this particular announcement by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and the National Council, was worth mentioning in our blog, due to the fact that is in support of raising awareness for mental health care.
Lady Gaga’s Born Brave Bus Tour & National Council Promote Youth Mental Health
Press Release
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) has partnered with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to promote mental health awareness and resilience among young people. National Council member organizations provide onsite ‘bravery tips’ and mental health resources as part of a 27-city Born Brave Bus Tour hosted by the foundation in conjunction with Lady Gaga’s concert tour.
On the afternoon of each concert, “little monsters,” as devoted Gaga fans call themselves, will come together to share stories of bravery and empowerment. The National Council has partnered with the National Association of School Psychologists to offer onsite interactive activities and resources to help these young people understand that mental health problems are common and treatable and that seeking help for themselves or their friends is an act of bravery.
Mental health professionals staffing the tour events will reinforce the message that young people can play an active role in caring for their own mental health and that of their friends and classmates. Key messages of the Born Brave Bus Tour are:
- Be brave: Know your strengths
- Act brave: Share your strengths
- Stay brave: Build your strengths
Youth in need of intervention will be connected to local resources, with information also online at www.braverytips.org.
“The National Council designated 2013 as ‘the Year of Youth” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. “At a time like this, our members have renewed their commitment to working with their communities to ensure that young people have a brighter future. We are honored to work with Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation to build momentum in communities that will sustain the message of bravery.”
Among the National Council’s offerings is Youth Mental Health First Aid, a training that uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions, and provide initial help. The course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of problems that can occur during adolescents, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, AD/HD, and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid has trained 80,000+ people across the US.
“Now more than ever, our kids need access to support within their communities, including mental health services,” said Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation President and Co-Founder and Lady Gaga’s mother. “By connecting youth to these local resources, we hope to plant the seeds that will help them deal with today’s challenges and inspire them to continue exercising their strength and bravery well after the Born Brave Bus leaves town. We are incredibly grateful to our partners for helping to make the Born Brave Bus Tour a reality. To have this many reputable national organizations come together at a local level is revolutionary.”
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is the unifying voice of America’s behavioral health organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens — more than 8 million adults and children with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and inclusion in all aspects of community life. The National Council coordinates the Mental Health First Aid program across the USA.
The Born This Way Foundation was created by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder, braver world.