Country music fans tuning into the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards expected memorable performances and major award wins throughout the night.
However, one of the most emotional moments came when Lauren Alaina took the stage to deliver a heartfelt message about mental health awareness before introducing Dan + Shay’s powerful performance of “Say So.”
Read on to discover the touching message Lauren Alaina shared during the ACM Awards and the heartbreaking story behind Dan + Shay’s emotional song.
Lauren Alaina Shares Powerful Mental Health Message During the 2026 ACM Awards
Country music star Lauren Alaina took the stage at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17, 2026, sharing a very important message with fans: “It’s okay to not be okay.” In her speech, the 31-year-old highlighted the significance of Mental Health Awareness Month and the importance of being open about mental health struggles.
Alaina told the audience, “Sometimes, lifting lives can mean saving lives.” The country music star continued, saying, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to say if you are secretly suffering, you are not alone.” At one point during the speech, Alaina appeared overcome with emotion as she encouraged viewers struggling with mental health challenges to reach out for help.
The 31-year-old was also quite candid about her own experiences, sharing, “Like too many of you out there, I know what it’s like to lose someone who struggled with their mental health, so to anybody out there tonight suffering, please know there is always someone to listen and someone to help. Just please, please reach out.”
Lauren Alaina Introduces Dan + Shay at the 2026 ACM Awards
Lauren Alaina appeared on stage during the ACM Awards to introduce country duo Dan + Shay before they performed their emotional song, “Say So.” While introducing the pair to the audience, Alaina explained that the song carried a particularly meaningful message for the country music community.
The singer shared, “Two friends of mine, Dan + Shay, whose powerful new song ‘Say So’ was inspired by a heartbreaking loss in our country music family.” Alaina also praised the impact of the song itself, adding, “When I first heard it, [I thought] this song is going to save lives.”
Her emotional introduction set the tone for the powerful performance that followed, as many viewers connected with the song’s message about supporting loved ones through difficult mental health struggles.
Dan + Shay’s ‘Say So’ Was Inspired by the Loss of Ben Vaughn
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney have been quite open about the inspiration behind “Say So,” sharing with country music fans that the lyrics were inspired by their friend and mentor, Ben Vaughn, who sadly died by suicide in January 2025.
As country music fans know, the message in “Say So” is quite powerful. As the song tells the story, “If your light burns out and you’re in the dark / If you can’t pick up the pieces / If the world you trusted falls apart / If your heart’s run out of reasons / I’ll be there every time you call/ Pick you up every time you fall / If you’rе going through hell, you’re not alone / If you need somеbody, say so.”
Together, Lauren Alaina’s speech and Dan + Shay’s emotional performance created one of the most heartfelt and impactful moments of the 2026 ACM Awards.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach the toll-free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (dial 888-628-9454 for assistance in Spanish). You can also speak with a trained crisis counselor anytime by texting HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
