![Demi Lovato is transparent about mental illness. [Image source: Justin Higuchi | Wikiemedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/5/21/660x290/b_502x220x82/demi-lovato-at-the-grammy-museum-image-credit-justin-higuchi-wikiemedia-commons_2001689.jpg "Demi Lovato is transparent about mental illness. [Image source: Justin Higuchi | Wikiemedia Commons]")
Demi Lovato is known for being a vocal dynamo of this generation. She's won awards from iHeartRadio Music, Latin American Music, MTV Video Music, People's Choice, and more. She's also been nominated at the Grammy's and Billboard Music Awards. What stands out most about Lovato is her work toward breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Lovato has been very open about her struggles with different disorders. She has also won a few awards regarding her work toward mental health awareness, such as the Mental Health Advocacy Award, the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders Award, and the Artistic Award of Courage from the Open Minds Gala.
Bipolar and eating disorders
Lovato has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which causes extreme shifts in mood from high euphoria to severe depression. Lovato has also struggled with an eating disorder for the majority of her life, suffering complications from anorexia nervosa when she was a young teen to coping with the effects of bulimia as the disorder progressed. She now advises people to work toward a healthy, realistic lifestyle. She promotes exercise and believes diets aren't necessary.
No longer depriving myself of treats (in moderation) and I’m not gonna lie, I put on a couple lbs since I’ve given up dieting BUT I’ve given up the chronic stress of what I eat because I don’t want to set that example for my fans. No more food shaming myself!!
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) January 19, 2018
Much of Lovato's music delves into her mental health issues and the roads she's taken to better herself.
She discusses her eating disorder in the songs "Believe in Me" and "Skyscraper," with the latter accompanied by a raw, emotional music video. She revealed her past with self-harm with the song "Warrior," an empowering piano ballad. Songs like "For the Love of a Daughter" and "Father" give insight into the estranged relationship Lovato had with her late father and how that manifested into some of her mental health issues.
She also was incredibly candid in her YouTube documentary, "Simply Complicated," where she talked about her disorders and former drug and alcohol abuse.
Cast on Tour
Lovato has shared her struggles in hopes that she can inspire her fans to reach out for help. On the North American leg of her "Tell Me You Love Me" tour, Lovato teamed up with CAST Foundation, an extension of Los Angeles-based mental health and awareness organization CAST Centers, where Lovato received treatment.
At first, the idea came to life in hopes that Lovato would use the services for her own benefit so she could continue to receive therapy while being on the road. However, Lovato wanted to extend the service to her fans, since so many of them have opened up about their personal struggles thanks to the singer's honesty. Other singers, including Kelsea Ballerini, Iggy Azalea, and Fifth Harmony's Lauren Jauregui appeared at different stops to discuss their relationship with mental health.
