Lady Gaga has launched a free online mental health course to help people learn how to be there for themselves and others.
Leaders of the singer’s Born This Way Foundation have partnered with the team at Canadian mental health charity Jack.org to launch the Be There Certificate, which is designed to increase mental health literacy and give people the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to support those who might be struggling.
The online course, which is available in English, French and Spanish, will teach people how to recognize when someone needs help, how to support that person, and how to connect them with professional assistance.
“Every day I hear from young people around the world who need the validation, support and support that the Be There Certificate offers,” Gaga explained to People about the genesis of the project. “Sharing this resource with each of those young people and the world means the world to me and I share it as a way of reminding myself and everyone else that each of us has a role to play in being there for each other. .
“It can be daunting to start a conversation about mental health with another person and provide support. With the Be There Certificate, you will learn how to safely and kindly be there for someone while maintaining your own mental well-being.”
The Poker Face hitmaker celebrated the launch on social media Wednesday by sharing a video listing the “five golden rules” for truly being there for someone in need.
“Number one, say what you see. Number two, show that you care. Number three, listen to them. Number four, know your role. Number five, reach out to help, kindly and safely,” she said.
Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta founded the foundation, which is committed to supporting and empowering young people, in 2012.