WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20, 2017) – Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing 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 Mental Wellbeing, 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 Mental Wellbeing. “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.”
The country’s 1 million First Aiders include everyone from police officers, teachers and employers to Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The eight-hour course is offered around the country and includes special courses for public safety officers, teachers, employers, youth, military members and veterans, older adults and foster families.
For more information about Mental Health First Aid, or to find a course near you, visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org. For more information about Born This Way Foundation, visit https://BornThisWay.Foundation.
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The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 2,900 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and more than 1 million Americans have been trained. For more information, please go to the National Council webpage at www.TheNationalCouncil.org.
Born This Way Foundation is committed to supporting the wellness of young people and empowering them to create a kinder and braver world. To achieve these goals, Born This Way Foundation leverages rigorous academic research and authentic partnerships in order to provide young people with kinder communities, improved mental health resources and more positive environments – online and offline. For more information, please go to https://BornThisWay.Foundation.
