Prince William on why Lady Gaga was best for Heads Together mental health campaign
PA Prince William is to work with pop star Lady Gaga
The second in line to the throne and the New York-born singer songwriter whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta released footage of their online conversation recorded at their homes in London and Los Angeles. They have made plans to meet and work together in Britain in October. William, 34, wanted to campaign with Lady Gaga, 31, after her decision to reveal last year that she suffered from PTSD after being raped when she was 19.
Footage was released today as part of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's Heads Together #oktosay film series featuring famous and not so famous people talking about their battles with mental health problems. Lady Gaga praised them for the “beautiful stories” they told. Last year she released an open letter through her Born This Way Foundation revealing that she lives with PSTD.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The Duke was hugely impressed with the openness displayed in the letter and asked Lady Gaga to get involved with the Heads Together campaign." She told the future king: "Even though it was hard, the best thing that could come out of my mental illness was to share it with other people and let our generation, as well as other generations know that if you are feeling not well in your mind that you’re not alone and that people that you think would never have a problem, do.
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge visit Essex School Fri, September 16, 2016 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, to promote their Heads Together campaign. Play slideshow 1 of 11
"We have to make the strongest, most relentless attempt we can to normalise mental health issues, so that people feel like they can come forward." In their FaceTime call they discussed how to shatter the stigma that still surrounds mental illness in a way that does not affect those with physical illnesses.
PA Prince William and Lady Gaga made plans to meet and work together in Britain in October
Lady Gaga said she felt people with mental health challenges were "not hiding anymore". William said: "It’s time that everyone speaks up and really feels very normal about mental health, it’s the same as physical health. Everybody has mental health and we shouldn’t be ashamed of it and just having a conversation with a friend or family member can really make such a difference.
PA William, 34, wanted to campaign with Lady Gaga