Lady Gaga and Letitia Wright used their awards speeches to talk about mental health and it was perfect

Winners at the Baftas and Grammys used their platform to shout out important causes last night. Musicians and filmmakers took the opportunity to call out the US-Mexico border crisis, gender inequality and the detainment of rapper 21 Savage (although not Post Malone, who forgot to mention him for the song they collaborated on). But two powerful speeches stood out by Letitia Wright and Lady Gaga, who both opened up about mental health. Wright was awarded the prestigious Rising Star prize, previously won by Daniel Kaluuya and Tom Holland, and spoke about how she was “in a deep state of depression” and almost quit acting a few years ago. 

BAFTA ✔@BAFTA 

You voted, and @letitiawright feels your support! Listen to her moving acceptance speech for the #EERisingStar award #EEBAFTAs #BAFTA

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The Black Panther went on to thank her family and her faith in God and encouraged anyone who is struggling with their health to keep going.She said:I want to encourage young people. You don't even have to be young, you can be any age, but I want to encourage you - anyone going through a hard time or something in their soul or they’ve lost their light... I want to encourage you that God made you and you're important. There might be some of you here who’s going through depression, who’s going through a bad time and you’re putting on a smile on your face and nobody can see that… I just want to encourage you and I want to say that God loves you. Just let your light shine.At the Grammys, Lady Gaga used her acceptance speech for “Shallow” from A Star Is Born to draw attention to mental health issues.

Newsweek

✔@Newsweek 

ICYMI: Lady Gaga uses her#GRAMMYs

acceptance speech to address mental health: "A lot of artists deal with that, and we have to take care of each other."#Grammy2019

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In the emotional speech, she called on artists in the music industry to “take care of each other”.If you see somebody that’s hurting, don’t look away. And if you’re hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep and go tell somebody and take them up in your head with you. Mental health has been a major issue in the music industry over the last few years, with the deaths of artists such as Avicii, Lil Peep and Mac Miller highlighting the problem. The two stars were praised across social media for their openness. From mental health campaigners:

gabby ♡ ✔@gabbyfrost 

I really respect lady gaga so much and I’m so glad she’s incredibly vocal about mental health. we really do need to emphasize how important asking for help is. it shouldn’t be seen as weak to tell someone you need help. 91

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Andy Woodfield

✔@andy_woodfield 

 

Stunning  words tonight from the remarkable  @letitiawright

you stopped time and touched hearts with your words to shine such a bright and beautiful light on the everyday challenges so many face with depression and #mentalhealth

#BAFTA 

BAFTA @BAFTA ✔

Winner of the #EERisingStar award is the wonderful @theblackpanther actor and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit @LetitiaWright! #EEBAFTAs #BAFTA 

 

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 Maya Enista Smith ✔@MEnista

Thank you for using every stage you have to talk about mental health, @ladygaga and congratulations on your message, your vision and ALL the awards. We love you! Love, Team @BTWFoundation
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 To politicians: Chirlane McCray✔@NYCFirstLady 

Thank you to @ladygaga for speaking up about the need for better mental health care. We CAN do more to help our loved ones, and your voice sends courage to all who may be suffering. were perfect examples of how award shows can be a force for good.