Demi Lovato is educating the younger generation on the importance of mental health.
In honor of Mental Health Action Day on Thursday, the 30-year-old singer-songwriter (who prefers the pronouns she/they) discussed her extensive struggle with depression, addiction, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts with NBC News NOW’s Savannah Sellers. She acknowledged that because of her public relapses, she has been able to become a transparent advocate for those in similar circumstances by sharing her story of recovery.
When I was 18, I sought treatment for the very first time, Lovato told the publication. “I left my eating disorder and went to seek help for self-harm and emotional problems. And when I shared that experience with others, I was given the option to either “keep your mouth shut and not say anything” or “share your experience, strength, and hope with another person in hopes that it affects them in a positive way.”. ‘”.
Lovato claimed that she made the decision to be open and outspoken about her struggle with mental illness.
In her memoir and two documentaries, she gave the reason for being honest: “I wanted to help others.”. “I wish I had someone when I was 13 years old, suffering from an eating disorder, and starving myself. I wanted a public figure to say, “Hey, I’ve been through this; you don’t have to go that route.”. ‘”.
I want them to understand that approaching others and requesting assistance are both more than acceptable and unquestionably the right things to do, continued Lovato.
The “Heart Attack” singer said that because a lot of her own mental health issues were caused by the pressure she experienced as a child due to beauty standards, she is aware of how crucial it is for teenagers to receive help at a young age.
It’s difficult to grow up in a world where images of people with perfect bodies are constantly in front of your face and at your fingertips, the Grammy-nominated artist said.
“When you’re looking at images of people with perfect bodies, you start to look at yourself, and you start to pick yourself apart.”. “I grew up in a time when young Hollywood was very, very, very thin, and that was the look. I think that had a really negative impact on my eating, just on my mental health, which I think fed into my eating disorder. “.
Lovato told the publication that her health is in a “really good place” and that she is using her past difficulties as inspiration for new music.
“I don’t want to portray a picture of absolute perfection and harmony. It has been difficult to write a happy rock album, but I am in a really good place right now,” she laughed. However, I have bad days even though I’m doing it. Sunday was a bad day for me. No matter how joyful I may feel or appear to be today, I understood that. I’m only human, so even when you’re doing well, it’s okay to still experience struggles. “.
