An Australian mental health outreach program aimed at teens has been promoted by Lady Gaga herself, giving American high school students the tools to check in with their mates in a meaningful way.
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The Oscar-winning pop juggernaut has used her Born This Way foundation to license the Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) curriculum, which was created by Mental Health First Aid Australia.
In a video shared by Born This Way last week, Gaga can be seen chatting to students from one of the eight schools where tMHFA has been instituted, praising them for their bravery and willingness to dig into the program.
The curriculum itself gives students the ability to recognise when their friends might be experiencing a mental health problem, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
A 2018 report found tMHFA is “an effective and feasible programme for increasing supportive first aid intentions and mental health literacy in adolescents in the short term,” which could realistically be rolled out around the nation for a positive impact on adolescent mental health.
Hack reports that some 60,000 Aussie teens have already gone through the three-session program, but Gaga’s plans to roll out tMHFA in more schools means the total number could balloon worldwide.
“It’s not easy to face our mental health and it’s something that has a heavy stigma around it,” Gaga said.
“And by you guys taking part in this program, you’re changing the world.”
You can scope out further details here.
If you’re struggling with your mental health or you’re worried about a friend, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Kid’s Help Line on 1800 55 1800.
