Demi Lovato Encourages Teens To Share Mental Health Struggles

Demi Lovato is sharing an important message about mental health for teenagers. On Thursday (May 18), the 30-year-old singer-songwriter opened up to Today about mental health and the importance of openly discussing it. Lovato has a long history of depression, addiction, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation. She admitted that her public relapses have allowed her to become an open book about recovery in hopes of helping anyone in similar situations.

"The very first time that I went to treatment was when I was 18," Lovato told the outlet. "I went from my eating disorder, and I went for self-harm and emotional issues. And when I came out with that experience, I was faced with the decision of 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 chose the latter, as she wanted to help others. The "Cool For The Summer" singer admitted she wished she had support when she was 13 years old, struggling with an eating disorder and starving herself. "I wanted somebody in the public eye to say that 'Hey, this is what I've gone through, and you don't have to choose that route.'"

Demi told the outlet that she wants people to know that "talking to people and asking for help is more than OK and is absolutely what you should do." The musician empathizes with teenagers and understands the importance of getting early help. During those adolescent years, Lovato says teens feel the pressure from beauty standards, as she did.

"When you're looking at images of people with perfect bodies, you start to look at yourself, and you start to pick yourself apart," the singer said. "It's hard to grow up in a world where that's right in front of your face and at your fingertips at all times." Speaking of the time she was growing up in Hollywood, the "look" then was "very, very, very thin." That had a "really negative impact" on her mental health, which she believes fed into her eating disorder.

Now, Lovato told the outlet that she's in a "really good place" with her health and is channeling her past struggles into new music. "I don't want to paint the facade that everything is totally perfect and fine," she said. As we previously reported, Lovato has spoken about the challenge of writing a rock album when she is happy. Mental health is a battle, the artist admits, and she still has bad days. "I realized that even to this day, no matter how happy I might feel and seem. I'm human, and it's okay to still struggle even when you're in a great place."