A mental health initiative backed by pop star Lady Gaga has reached a significant milestone, with more than 100,000 people worldwide completing an online training programme designed to help them recognise when someone is struggling and offer meaningful support. The two organisations launched the Be There Certificate in March 2022, building on their earlier collaboration to encourage kindness and peer-to-peer mental health support.
Jack dot org and ABC News, the initiative began with the idea that supporting someone’s mental health should not be limited to professional settings, according to updates from Born This Way Foundation. The programme, developed in partnership with Canadian youth mental health organisation Jack dot org, focuses on equipping people with practical skills to support friends, family members and peers before their difficulties escalate into a crisis. Friends, classmates, parents and colleagues are often among the first to notice changes in someone’s behaviour, but many do not know how to approach the conversation or respond appropriately. The programme is part of a wider effort to make mental health education more accessible, particularly for young people who may turn to someone they trust before seeking professional help.
The Be There Certificate is a free, self-paced online course created by Jack dot org in partnership with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. It is designed to help participants understand the signs of mental health struggles, learn how to approach someone who may need support and recognise when professional assistance is necessary.