Demi Lovato Takes Action With New Campaign To Raise Mental Health Awareness

Demi Lovato has always been very open about her struggles with mental disorders, and almost five years after the singer checked into rehab, she’s taking action with a joint campaign with five mental-health organizations, called Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health. Lovato also opened up to People Magazine and said she’s never felt better, since she is “actually functioning like a very happy person would.” The pop-singer’s also been very openly thankful of the support she’s gotten from boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama. “He’s one of those people who's stuck by my side from day one of me getting help and saying, ‘Listen, I'm not going to be a 'yes' person,’” Lovato explained.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the former Disney star has done a lot to raise mental health awareness by speaking publicly, writing letters to Congress, and just last year, she traveled around the US as part of the Mental Health Listening & Engagement Tour. “I think together as a country we have to step up and we have to do something about this issue that is becoming quite an epidemic,” Demi said.

The cause is very close to Lovato’s heart, not only due to her struggles but her father had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and sadly, she watched him “live a very unfortunate life because of the lack of access to treatment,” Demi explained. “I just think mental illness is something people need to learn more about and the stigma needs to be taken away from.” The singer says the campaign looks to encourage those suffering from mental illness to speak up with their doctors, support system, family and friends.