Lady Gaga "was a cutter for a long time"

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in an interview for ELLE magazine, she said: "I've actually not opened up very much about this, but I think it's an important thing for people to know and hear: I was a cutter for a long time, and the only way that I was able to stop cutting and self-harming myself was to realise that what I was doing was trying to show people that I was in pain instead of telling them and asking for help. When I realised that telling someone, 'Hey, I am having an urge to hurt myself,' that defused it. I then had someone next to me saying, 'You don't have to show me. Just tell me: What are you feeling right now?' And then I could just tell my story. I say that with a lot of humility and strength; I'm very grateful that I don't do it anymore, and I wish to not glamourise it."

The 'Shallow' hitmaker has advised any fans who suffer with similar issues to plunge their hands into a bowl of cold water because it blocks the unwanted thoughts.

She explained: "One thing that I would suggest to people who struggle with trauma response or self-harm issues or suicidal ideation is actually ice.

"If you put your hands in a bowl of ice-cold water, it shocks the nervous system, and it brings you back to reality."

Gaga previously opened up about her mental health issues when she won a Grammy for her song from 'A Star Is Born' in February.

She said at the time: "If I don't get another chance to say this -- I just want to say I'm so proud to be a part of a movie that addresses mental health issues.

"They're so important, and a lot of artists deal with that, and we got to take care of each other, so if you see somebody that's hurting, don't look away."