Lady Gaga is promoting mental health awareness with her Born Brave Bus on her Born This Way Ball tour. | Source: WENN

Lady Gaga and her Born This Way Foundation teamed up with the National Council for Behavioral Health to set up mental health awareness booths at her concerts. Gaga announced the collaboration shortly after the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in hopes of preventing more horrific incidents like it.

The project will let Lady Gaga’s beloved “Little Monsters” meet up with psychologists, as well as each other, to discuss any problems or issues they may have.

Gaga’s mama, Cynthia Germanotta, released a statement about the Born This Way Ball’s mental health initiative, which they dubbed the Born Brave Bus. (Cute, right?)

“Now more than ever, our kids need access to support within their communities, including mental health services,” Mama Gaga said. “By connecting youth to these local resources, we hope to plant the seeds that will help them deal with today’s challenges and inspire them to continue exercising their strength and bravery well after the Born Brave Bus leaves town.”

Lady Gaga herself explained the Born Brave Bus further via Twitter:

For those wondering about the “counseling” at the BTWBall BornBrave pre-show, it will be a fun tailgating experience for monsters to unite

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 28, 2012

At the #BornBraveBus you have access to professional private or group chats about mental health, depression, bullying, school & friends.

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 28, 2012

#BornBraveBus there will also be food and games, @djws and @ladystarlightny will DJ with host @breedlovenyc to keep the experience fun

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 28, 2012

#BornBraveBus Is a place where mental health + depression are taken seriously w/ no judgement,FREE real help available to all #BraverWorld

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 28, 2012

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

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 28, 2012

We love that Lady Gaga is drawing awareness and attention to mental health, because a lot of people are embarrassed by how they feel and are too ashamed to admit that they want or need help. There should be nothing embarrassing about taking steps to make sure you’re healthy inside and out. Talking to a psychologist doesn’t mean you’re crazy or evil or weird or bad. It means you’re actually pretty sane, self-aware, and smart. You–and Lady Gaga–should be applauded for taking measures to make sure you feel as healthy, clear, and happy as you can.

We hope more artists follow Lady Gaga’s lead, because your mental health is just as important as your physical well-being. If everyone comes together to understand and examine their own psyches, maybe the mental health, mental illness, and “head shrinking” stigmas can finally be erased–so we can all embrace, not embarrass, one another for taking care of ourselves.

Do you think Lady Gaga promoting mental health awareness on her Born This Way Ball tour will help with the stigma? Are you going to see Lady Gaga on her Born This Way Ball tour? How do you think artists can promote mental health awareness? Tell us in the comments!

Depressed? Here’s how to deal.

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If you have intermittent explosive disorder (IED), yelling and screaming may be the least harmful ways to cope. |

A lot of times when young people get cranky or mad, adults dismiss it as “teen angst”–which probably makes you more mad, because it’s like saying your feelings don’t matter or aren’t valid, right? Thing is, if you get really, really mad pretty often, it may be a signal of something a lot worse than teen angst: it may be a sign of something called intermittent explosive disorder (IED). Those with IED have uncontrollable fits of anger without the triggers of substance abuse, mental or mood disorders.

Intermittent explosive disorder sounds scary, because, well, it sort of is. Those suffering from IED often go into sort of blind rages, and they can involve threatening violence (yikes!), actually being violent (YIKES!), or destroying property (like punching a wall, breaking dishes, etc.). Once the violent or damaging acts were committed, most patients reported feeling either pleasure or relief–but remorse once it was all said and done. All in all: Not good.

And here’s what’s even scarier about intermittent explosive disorder: Most of the time, it goes undiagnosed, when as many as 6 million teens may be suffering from it. To meet the definition of IED, a patient has to pretty much flip the eff out without a significant enough reason to do so at least three times–and when and if you get tested for intermittent explosive disorder, your doc will ask you more specific questions and about certain incidents that happened usually within the last year.

What really sucks about having IED as a teen and having it waved off as”teen angst” (ugh) is that intermittent explosive disorder can lead to even more issues as you get older, including depression and substance abuse as an adult. That’s a big reason why doctors say this particular mood disorder needs to be researched more heavily and more seriously. Dr. Ronald Kessler, who’s a big supporter of IED research, told Time, “It’s a problem because it really gets in the way of your life. There are lots of things people don’t get treatment for because it doesn’t really impact them. This does. The problem is an awful lot of people have it—more than I thought—it’s awfully chronic, and it’s impairing.”

Other symptoms of intermittent explosive disorder can be physical. During an outburst, patients may sweat or twitch, their chests may tighten, and they may experience heart palpitations. These scary symptoms are even more reason to get checked out.

Part of why intermittent explosive disorder is such an epidemic issue is that those who suffer from it may not realize that they have a problem–sometimes it can seem like if people stopped pissing you off, well, then you wouldn’t get so mad, right? But if you’re getting super pissed, to the point of throwing, breaking, or damaging your stuff or hurting those around you, that’s a big, huge problem, and it’s one that you’re going to want to address before it gets any worse. IED can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. If you or a loved one suffer from intermittent explosive disorder, you can find help here.

Have you ever been so angry that you did something totally irrational or even violent? How do you cope with your anger? Do you or does someone you know suffer from intermittent explosive disorder? Tell us in the comments!

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I’m Addicted To Coffee! For Real!

Hey Fido--don't be ashamed of your schnoz! | Source

Let me explain.

I have terrible allergies. To cats, to dogs, to dust, to grass, to trees, to . . . the world. Couple that with super pale skin, and I think you understand how red and swollen my nose can get when I’m wheezing and sneezing. I don’t want to make it sound like I was a total outcast as a kid (I wasn’t), but did it hurt when my friends would tease me and call me “Rudolph” or when we were thinking of code-names for our special secret club, and my third grade best friend decided I should be “red-nose”? Hell yeah, it hurt! Did I say anything? No. You know why? Because my nose actually was red. They were only stating the obvious–and I hated that it was true.

Fast forward to sixth grade when I was finally allowed to start wearing a little bit of makeup. Most girls ask for lipstick or mascara first, but not this girl! I wanted cover-up to make my red nose look normal! And man, that first bottle of Maybelline liquid makeup changed my life (and my feelings about my nose). For the first time in forever, I thought I looked normal, maybe even cuteish.

Lea Michele wanted a nose job, too! | Source

That one comment from that one (in retrospect, stupid and not all that cute) boy stuck with me and by the time I was in high school, I wanted a nose job more than anything in the world. Of course I knew my mom would say no, so I never even asked, but it was seriously my dream.

My nose. It's exactly like my grandfather's.

I was sitting by his hospital bed, when he gave me this long, hard look–and grabbed my nose–hard! Then he laughed and said, “You’ve got your grandpa’s nose!” I looked in the mirror and then back at him–at this man I idolized, who meant everything to me–and he was right. My nose looked almost identical to his. And in that instant, I finally saw my nose not as something to be embarrassed of or to hide, but as something to be proud of. I look the way I look because my family looks they way they look. And that? Well, I think that’s pretty cool.

Do you have issues with your nose? Would you ever consider getting a nose job? Can you relate to how I feel about my nose? Tell me everything in the comments!

Let’s Talk A Little More About Plastic Surgery . . .

You CAN get through this. | Source

In many ways, hitting an emotional low is just like realizing you were the only one of your friends to get sick on the ride. It’s totally human and normal, but feeling blue can make you feel isolated, embarrassed, and like nobody could possibly understand what you’re dealing with.

But before we go any further, let me just say there’s a huge difference between throwing up (and by throwing up, I mean being mega bummed) and actually giving up or thinking about suicide.

If you are thinking about hurting yourself or anyone else–get help now. Tell a parent, teacher, or call 911.

But aside from thinking about suicide or hurting yourself–how can you tell the difference between having a lousy day and actually dealing with depression? The only way to know for sure if you’re experiencing what mental health pros call a Major Depressive Episode is to see your doctor or a therapist. But if you’re simply not feeling like yourself, there are a couple questions you can ask yourself first:

If you feel like this, you might need help. | Source

Is my mood getting in the way of my life?
Depressive symptoms get in the way of everything: school, social life, work, family—if you’re feeling low enough that it’s stopping you from living the fabulous life you could be living, it’s time to check in with a professional.

What other symptoms am I experiencing?
If you’re depressed, you also notice a few other things are off. You might not be able to sleep or eat, or maybe you’re eating and sleeping more than usual. You could feel exhausted, or have a tough time concentrating on school or work. Maybe you’re feeling more jittery than usual, or like your body has slowed down and it’s tough to find the energy to go about your day. You could be feeling worthless, or start to have thoughts of suicide.

All of these symptoms are serious, and if you’ve been struggling with any combination of them for two weeks or more, you might need a hand to get back to normal. Talk to your doctor–and know that there is absolutely no shame in needing help. If you think your parents might freak and think you’re “crazy,” or think you’re being overly dramatic, talk to a school counselor or school nurse who can help you get the help you need.

The thing to keep in mind is that you’re absolutely not alone. Just like many people get sick on roller coasters, many people get depressed–especially girls, who experience clinical depression twice as often as guys. The good news is that depression is treatable, and things can get a whole lot better. Better to the point where you’ll be smiling again. Promise.

Everyone is different, and a single blog post like this one isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you’re worried you might be depressed or you have questions about depression, have your doctor recommend a good mental health therapist.

For girls who have struggled with suicidal thoughts, please call a help line like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). I may not have met you, but you matter to me.

How are you doing? Have you ever needed help? Tell me in the comments.

Need More Heart-To-Heart? We’ve Got You.

Some relationships are meant to last forever and others, well, not so much. And by relationships, we don’t just mean the romantic variety. Friendships can have expiration dates too. And when your best friend and you are cruising full speed ahead to Splitsville, it’s not a fun road trip at all. Meg is here to smooth out the ride with five tips on how to deal with a BFF break up. From figuring out if this friendship is worth saving to how to handle your feelings, Meg lets you in on the best ways to deal with a best friend break up.

Have you ever had to break up with a friend? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Want More Advice From Meg? Of Course You Do!

It was even worse than it looks. | Source

“I think we should break up. This isn’t going to work.”

Suddenly, I could feel the banana climbing dangerously high back up my esophogus. He wanted to…break up? My beloved, darling, sweet boyfriend of all of sophomore and most of junior year didn’t think “this” was going to work?! AND HE WAS TELLING ME THIS AN HOUR BEFORE I TOOK THE SAT?!?!?!?!?!

My mom came into the room and was startled to see me crying.

“Sweetheart! It’s going to be fine! You’ve studied so much!” She said, alarmed.

“YOUDONTUNDERSTANDNATHANBROKEUPWITHMEANDI’LLNEVERBEHAPPYAGAIN!” I wailed in response. Then, I added:

“I can’t take the SATs right now!”

Banana, Smanana. | Source

The rest of the morning is a blur. I know I arrived at the test center, stood in line, sat at a random desk at a school I’d never been to, full of kids I didn’t know. As the proctor read out the seemingly endless instructions on how to fill out a Scantron sheet, my mind kept wandering back to that email, wondering what could have possibly gone wrong in my perfect relationship. I raced through the test, my stomach feeling like lead. I just wanted it to be over so I could turn on my cellphone again and see if Nathan had texted me. I couldn’t wait to go home and cry.

Of course, by the time I got my test results back, I really wanted to cry. Let’s just say: the banana didn’t seem to have helped much. The annoying thing was, I knew I could have done better if I hadn’t been so distracted by a kid that frankly, I was already totally over.

So I took the test again, and this time, I ate my banana at the kitchen table (and didn’t check my email), I reviewed flash cards on the way over (instead of reviewing my failed love life), and I even paid attention to the Scantron directions because I sort of think I may have messed that up last time.

And my results? Were good. In fact, they were exactly what I had been hoping for. And that was the last time I took the SATs–and the last time I let boy trouble get in the way of my own success.

Have you ever gotten a bad grade or a bad score because of boy drama? How did you do on the SATs? Tell me all about it in the comments!

What Celebs Went To Good Colleges? Find Out!

Hey, Cat. I feel you. | Source

But those big fat envelopes full of happy news just didn’t come.

I was rejected from nearly every single university I had obsessed over for months, except for my very last choice–a school way too close to home for comfort, with a gnarly party-school reputation. I’d only applied there in the first place to make my mom happy. But in the end, that was my only option.

From the moment I got there, I started thinking about how much better everything would have been at my dream school. I spent my first year there totally miserable and plotting my escape, staring longingly at the websites of the faraway fancypants colleges that didn’t want anything to do with me the first time around.

And then, the first quarter of my sophomore year, I stumbled into this one class (bookbinding, who knew?) and it changed everything. It was love, I was hooked, and I have my last-choice school to thank for it.

Don't need a dream school to be happy, girls! | Source

I’m not going to lie to you and say it was perfect. The party school atmosphere left a lot to be desired, and my program certainly wasn’t everything I wanted it to be, but no college is going to fulfill every one of your hopes and dreams because . . . well, because that’s just impossible.

I know this sounds crazy–but I’m kind of glad I didn’t get into my dream school!

Every college wants you to believe that they have that amazingly perfect mix of brilliant professors, beautiful people, cool cafes, and a sunny lawn to sun yourself on between classes–but the fact is that no school can offer you everything. And the secret is that some schools that get ignored or put down a lot actually have a lot to offer, too.

Life is weird and circuitous and unpredictable, and if you just open yourself up to the possibility that something awesome can happen anywhere, in college or not, then awesome things will probably come up. Because—and I’m fairly certain this is true about most things–it’s not about where you are but who you are, and that, my friend, is not something that fits into an admissions packet.

What’s your dream school? Were you ever rejected from a college you had your heart set on? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Should You Be Single When You Go To College? Let’s Discuss!

Money. What happens when your friends have it, you don’t, and it’s starting to cause problems? Dollar drama, that’s what! Or maybe not. Meg Haston has some stellar advice on how to deal with counting your pennies when your buds are rolling in it. From talking it out to planning budget-friendly gatherings, you’ll learn that a small wallet doesn’t have to mean a small social circle. Money problems do not have to shape your world, girl!

Have you ever had money problems or felt a lot more broke than your friends? Tell us all about it and how you dealt in the comments!

Want More Meg? Check Out How To Deal With Being The New Girl!

Feelings are HEALTHY! | Source

I’ve been there. I’ve also gone ahead and told the guy how I felt about him, only to learn that he wasn’t as excited about me. Hello, disappointment!

The thing is, having feelings, whether they’re happy and excited or sad and hurt, is totally normal and not crazy at all. They are your feelings, and what are we here in this life for if not to feel things? Sometimes other people’s feelings won’t match yours, and that sucks, but it doesn’t mean your feelings were wrong–because feelings are never “correct” or “incorrect”–they just are. So the next time you’re asking yourself “Am I crazy?,” just know that you’re probably just human.

Being in love isn't crazy! | Source

This emotional double standard is nothing new, either. Back in the Victorian days and up through the 1920s, women were routinely hospitalized with “hysteria.” Hysteria basically meant that doctors thought disruptions in a woman’s uterus made her have “excessive” and “dangerous” emotions that required medical sedation. You read that right–women were hospitalized for having feelings, and forced to take drugs to dull them.

Now, of course there are people (guys and girls!) who have mood disorders. Bi-Polarism really exists, so do panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and other issues that are serious and need medical attention. But when we call every Tina, Dana, and Holly “crazy” for having a meltdown once in a while–we’re making light of those really real issues, while trivializing the very normal feelings of a girl who probably just needs someone to listen to her.

Adele's emotions helped her win Grammys! | Source

So, the next time you hear someone call a girl you know “crazy,” take a step back and think about what she’s really going through. Have you ever been in similar shoes? If you were in her situation, might you be just as upset or just as happy? Because the truth is, she’s probably not crazy. She’s just a girl with feelings.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I crazy?” Has anyone ever said that you were crazy for having strong feelings? What did you do or say? Tell me all about it in the comments.

Need To Have A Serious Talk With Someone You Love? Here’s How.

I know. It sucks. | Source

I hear you, girl. I am, for better or worse, a girl who knows how to handle rejection; I’ve been turned down by more people, places and things then I can keep track of. And yet, here I stand (well, sit) before you, a fully functioning and happy survivor of brush-offs, break-ups, and broken hearts. As your resident rejection-expert (rejexpert?), I compiled a few common scenarios, and some suggestions on reframing your whole rejection experience.

Ready? Go!