Gaga offers free counseling sessions.
This article was updated with a video at 5:45 a.m. EDT.
Singer Lady Gaga will offer free mental health counseling sessions before her concerts, according to The Los Angeles Times.
“[I]t will be a fun tailgating experience for monsters to unite,” Gaga wrote on her Facebook page. “At the BornBrave Bus you have access to professional private or group chats about mental health, depression, bullying, school & friends. There will also be food and games, DJ White Shadow and Lady Starlight will DJ with host BREEDLOVE to keep the experience fun.”
Gaga is one of several celebrities to make a conscious effort to stop bullying. In an op-ed for USA Today, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Honda called bullying an “epidemic” in America.
“Everyone in America likely has a bullying story, whether it was as the victim, bully or as a witness,” the authors wrote. “The question is, when will it stop and how do we stop it?”
Gaga hopes that her BornBrave Bus will be a place where people will feel safe to talk about depression and other issues.
“BornBrave Bus Is a place where mental health + depression are taken seriously w/ no judgement, FREE real help available to all. I feel like most kids don’t look for help because they feel embarrassed so mom + I wanted to break the stigmas around ‘help’ and make it fun.”
According to The Associated Press, Gaga has enlisted the help of a Yale University psychologist in her campaign to put a stop to bullying. Professor Marc Brackett is one seven scholars named to the advisory board of Gag’s Born This Way Foundation.
He recently told The AP that while his primary job is to help the singer’s foundation, he has been able to go to some of Gaga’s concerts.
The LA Times notes that Gaga is currently getting ready for a tour that begins in Vancouver, Canada, on January 11 and ends in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 20.
“I’m counting down the days till the Ball starts up again,” the singer wrote on her Facebook page. “ONLY 3 MONTHS LEFT OF TOURING, what will I do!!!!?? I love seeing you every night!”
The singer offered a more detailed explanation of the free mental health counseling sessions on the Born This Way blog:
“The BornBrave Bus is a pre-concert ‘tailgate’ that will provide a space for youth to gather and celebrate their individuality in a safe arena where everyone is encouraged to be the person they were born to be. The Born Brave Bus Tour will allow youth to get more deeply involved in the BTWF movement, while also connecting them with local resources in their communities in an effort to inspire bravery and promote self-acceptance. Guests will join like-minded peers as they enjoy food, music, fantastic local and national resources, and fun, interactive activities.”
Apparently, there is a video of Gaga discussing the BornBrave with Oprah Winfrey:
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