Lady Gaga Opens Up About Having PTSD and Her Struggle With Mental Illness
Lady Gaga was eager to share her story when she paid a visit to the Ali Forney Center, a shelter for homeless LGBT youth in New York's Harlem neighborhood.
"I told the kids today, ‘I suffer from PTSD,’" she said in a Today show interview that was part of their #ShareKindness campaign. "I've never told anyone that before. So here we are. But the kindness that's shown to me by doctors as well as my family, and my friends, it’s really saved my life."
In addition to performing for those staying at the center, the 30-year-old pop star also showed a short meditation exercise that she uses to "calm down."
"I don't have the same kind of issues that you have," Gaga said. "But I have a mental illness and I struggle with that every day so I need my mantra to help keep me relaxed."
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Gaga also made it a point to write a note to every teen living at the Ali Forney Center. According to the organization, 80 percent of those at the center were kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality.
“I am no better than any of those kids. And I'm no worse than any of them,” she proclaimed. “We are equal. We both walk our two feet on the same earth. And we're in this together.”
Gaga has become a role model to people from all walks of life. Just last week at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Gigi Hadid told ET that she looks up to the "Born This Way" singer. "Gaga has been a great kind of big sister to me," the 21-year-old model said. "And has given me amazing advice, and I think she is such a beautiful person that is just set on spreading love everywhere she goes. I think that she is one of a kind, she is amazing."
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