CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia announced a strategic partnership with Born This Way Foundation to join the Generation Be There campaign, bringing the Be There Certificate to communities across the state and marking a significant expansion of youth-focused mental health education and support.
The Be There Certificate is a free, online mental health course, created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, designed to increase mental health literacy and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support others who may be struggling. The program is built around the “5 Golden Rules,” a practical framework that helps participants recognize signs of mental health struggle, understand their role in offering support, and connect individuals to appropriate care.
“This partnership represents a powerful step forward for mental health in West Virginia,” said Julie Gomez, executive director of NAMI in West Virginia. “Aligning with a national leader like Born This Way Foundation reinforces the work we are doing here at home and elevates West Virginia as a model for how states can approach youth mental health.”
“Even when we care deeply for someone, we don’t always know how to help or where to turn for reliable resources,” said MJ Bradley, senior programs manager for Born This Way Foundation. “The Be There Certificate is designed to close that gap by giving young people—and all of us—simple, actionable tools they can use in everyday moments. We are grateful to NAMI for bringing the Generation Be There campaign to West Virginia and helping to connect communities across the state with this free, accessible course.”
As part of this initiative, NAMI in West Virginia will lead the statewide rollout and implementation of the program, integrating it into schools, youth-serving organizations and community-based settings. Bringing the Generation Be There campaign to West Virginia and connecting young people with the Be There Certificate course builds on the momentum of the organization’s recent Teen Mental Health Awareness Week in March, the first statewide campaign of its kind that brought together educators, providers, policymakers and community leaders to elevate the conversation around youth mental health.
The initiative will also be a central component of NAMI in West Virginia’s Mental Health Awareness Month programming throughout May and will create new opportunities for engagement, training and outreach across multiple regions of the state.
The Be There Certificate is available at no cost and can be accessed online, allowing individuals, schools and organizations to participate at their own pace. The course is also available in English, French, and Spanish.
To join Generation Be There and earn your Be There Certificate, visit certificate.bethere.org/GenerationBeThere.
For more information about NAMI in West Virginia and upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month programming, visit namiwheeling.org.
About NAMI in West Virginia
NAMI in West Virginia is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The organization is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health conditions through advocacy, education, support and public awareness. With a growing statewide presence, NAMI in West Virginia partners with communities, providers and policymakers to expand access to services, strengthen mental health systems and drive meaningful change across the state.
About Born This Way Foundation
Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, empowers and inspires young people to build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental health and wellbeing. Based on the scientific link between kindness and mental health and built in partnership with young people, the Foundation leverages research, programs, grantmaking, and partnerships to engage young people and connect them with accessible mental health resources. This approach comes to life through the storytelling platform Channel Kindness, the mental health training course Be There Certificate, the youth-led grantmaking program Kindness in Community Fund, and more, reaching thousands of young people around the world each year. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.
