Lady Gaga gets tough on suicide and mental health

By MiNDFOOD

Cast member Lady Gaga arrives for the premiere of the movie ìA Star Is Bornî in Los Angeles, California, U.S. September 24, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni - RC19E081B240
Cast member Lady Gaga arrives for the premiere of the movie ìA Star Is Bornî in Los Angeles, California, U.S. September 24, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni - RC19E081B240

Lady Gaga has penned a hard-hitting piece tackling depression, anxiety and suicide.

Lady Gaga and Dr Tedros Adhanom, director general of the World Health Organization, have written a piece for The Guardian on suicide and mental health, writing “The time has come for us all, collectively, to tackle the causes and symptoms of mental illness, and provide care for those who suffer from it”.

Lady Gaga’s new film A Star Is Born deals with issues of mental health and suicide, and she is the founder of the charity Born This Way which works to support the wellness of young people. She has also had experience with depression and anxiety.

In the piece, the pair write, “Suicide is the most extreme and visible symptom of the larger mental health emergency we are so far failing to adequately address.” They point to a lack of mental health support services, and the struggle to talk openly about issues as some of the major problems. “Stigma, fear and lack of understanding compound the suffering of those affected and prevent the bold action that is so desperately needed and so long overdue.”

The opinion editorial highlights many alarming statistics, such as the fact that mental health currently receives less than 1% of global aid and that 800,000 people kill themselves every year. They write, “We can no longer afford to be silenced by stigma or stymied by misguided ideas that portray these conditions as a matter of weakness or moral failing.”

Need help? There are many resources to which you can refer for information about mental illness. Some resources include:

AUSTRALIA

beyondblue Support Service Phone: 1300 22 46 36

Black Dog Institute

NEW ZEALAND

The Depression Helpline (0800 111 757)

Healthline (0800 611 116)

Lifeline (0800 543 354)

Samaritans (0800 726 666)

Youthline (0800 376 633)

Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797)

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login