LONDON -- Lady Gaga made a powerful announcement at a shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth, stating that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During a segment on the TODAY show, the singer went to the Ali Forney Center in Harlem, New York, to hand out presents before delivering a powerful message to a group of young people.

"I don't have the same kind of issues that you have, but I have a mental illness and I struggle with that illness every day. So, I need my mantra to help keep me relaxed," Lady Gaga told the group.

"I told the kids today that I suffer from mental illness. I suffer from PTSD," the singer said in an interview with the TODAY show.

"I've never told anyone that before so here we are. But the kindness that's been shown to me by doctors as well as my family and my friends, it's really saved my life," the singer continued.Lady Gaga revealed in 2014 that she was raped at the age of 19 by a record producer.

According to the NHS, PTSD is an anxiety disorder brought about by "stressful, frightening or distressing events." A person with PTSD often experiences nightmares and flashbacks as well as feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.

"You are brave. You are courageous," Gaga told the group.

"I've been searching for ways to heal myself and i've found that kindness is a way. One way to help people who've had trauma is to inject them with as many positive thoughts as possible," the singer said.