National Council Partners with the Born This Way Foundation to Promote Mental Health
Media Contacts
Meena Dayak, National Council, meenad@thenationalcouncil.org, 301.602.8474
Anna Miller, Born This Way Foundation, anna.miller@42west.net, 646.467.9054
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council) is proud to once again partner with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to educate young people about mental health through new stops on the Born Brave Bus tour:
The bus will be open daily from 11 am to 8 pm to all visitors to the Made in America Festival and 10 am to 8 pm at Six Flags.
The Born Brave Bus tour is an effort by the Born This Way Foundation to inspire bravery and promote self-acceptance among young people. Covered in artwork created by real Gaga fans, the bus and surrounding experience provides youth with an interactive way to meet like-minded peers, and to connect with local resources in their communities including behavioral and mental health services. Local National Council member organizations will offer onsite activities and resources to help visiting youth understand that mental health challenges are common and treatable and that seeking help for themselves or their friends is an act of bravery. While counseling will not be provided on site, youth will be directed to local professionals who can provide services to them on an individual basis.
Professionals and Mental Health First Aid instructors volunteering for the behavioral health pod on the tour 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. Youth in need of assistance will be connected to local resources, with information also online at www.braverytips.org.
“We’re honored to work with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to promote messages of bravery and resilience, especially now, in what we’ve marked as the Year of the Youth,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. “We’re grateful to our members who have renewed their commitment to working with their communities to ensure that young people have a brighter future.”
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 adolescence, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, AD/HD, and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid has trained more than 100,000 people across the U.S.
_______________________________________________________________________
About the National Council for Mental Wellbeing: The National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council) is the unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens — more than eight million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained more than 100,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. www.TheNationalCouncil.org
About The Born This Way Foundation: Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to foster a more accepting society. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community where individuality is celebrated by connecting youth with the skills, resources and opportunities they need to build a braver, kinder world. BTWF, a non-profit charitable organization, addresses issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development through research, education and advocacy. www.bornthiswayfoundation.org
The post Lady Gaga’s Born Brave Bus Tour Back on the Road appeared first on The National Council.
