8 Ways Demi Lovato Has Helped Destigmatize Mental Health Issues For Latinx Communities

"When I finally was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it was a relief in so many ways," Lovato said at the 2014 National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Annual National Convention. The singer shared how this diagnosis made them understand all the harmful things they were doing to cope with the disorder. After working with a team of experts and "seeing there's light on the other side," the singer made it their personal mission to share their experience and message of hope with the world, especially the younger generations. "I want to show the world that there is life, surprising, wonderful, and unexpected life after diagnosis."

In 2013, Lovato published the book Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year ($26), in which they encourage young adults to join them in their daily commitment to themself, their health, and their happiness through affirmations of self-worth and value. The book was a huge hit and even made it to the New York Times Best Seller list that year.

Their advocacy goes beyond talk shows and social media. In 2014, the singer took the National Alliance of Mental Illness Annual National Convention stage to share before thousands of people their very personal experience living with bipolar disorder and urged the nation's leaders to pass comprehensive mental health reform. As the singer explained in this powerful speech, this means focusing on prevention and reaching people with mental illness before it is too late to help them. "[Mental illness] affects people of every age, race, gender, religion, and economic status," they said in their speech. "It doesn't discriminate between Republicans or Democrats either."

During their 2016 Future Now Tour with Nick Jonas, Lovato offered their fans wellness workshops focused on mental health in each of the 44 cities they visited. They even attended those workshops with speakers who shared personal experiences of overcoming difficulties in their lives. Lovato also used their time on stage to share mental health awareness messages. "I used to speak onstage, not about mental health care but illness, and trying to take away the stigma and taboo of mental illness," they told The San Diego Tribune.

Because they know getting help isn't easy, Lovato is determined to normalize therapy. Last year they became the face of Talkspace, an online therapy platform that connects mental health experts with people who need it in an anonymous way and on their phones. As an ambassador, they've been to almost every show on national TV, speaking about how important it is to get help and how working with a team of mental health experts has helped them thrive after they got their diagnosis.

The singer uses their social media channels to advocate for mental health almost daily. On Instagram, they recently shared with their 113 million followers a new initiative they're promoting in partnership with Talkspace, the Talkspace Access Project, which aims to increase access to therapy and mental health resources for underserved communities. To get the campaign started, the company partnered with Lovato to create a fund that offers 1,000 months of free treatment through different associations and nonprofits like The Loveland Foundation, Bring Change to Mind, and NAMI.

In the 2021 documentary series Dancing With the Devil, the singer shares in spectacular detail their struggles with substance abuse. From the first time they tried cocaine, at 19, to their 2018 overdose. When Lovato was 21 years old, they were named honorary chair of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for their role as a positive influence for young adults who struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues. "I'm a survivor of mental health and addiction issues and I am not ashamed," they said in the acceptance speech. Feeling ashamed is one of the reasons many people don't get help, but for Latinx who struggle with addiction, as many studies suggest, the lack of culturally tailored substance abuse treatments is another barrier and reason they tend to drop out of drug abuse treatment more than non-Latinx people who struggle with addiction.

In a recent interview with Ashley Graham, Lovato opened up about struggling daily with eating disorders, what they've referred to as "still the biggest challenge in my life." Throughout their career, the singer has been vocal about fighting bulimia, an eating disorder that started when they were just 8 years old. "There are periods of time where I forget about my food struggles and other times it's all I think about. Still. But that is what ED recovery looks like for some people and I still have hope that someday I won't think about it anymore," they wrote on Instagram in May.

In Dancing With the Devil they also expressed the shame they felt whenever they relapsed and the importance of having the right people around to support you when that happens. According to the American Psychological Association, for young Latinx who struggle with eating disorders, there are particular factors such as stigma, fear of not being understood, and family privacy that also become barriers that prevent them from seeking help.

If you or a loved one struggles with mental health, you can find helpful resources online through associations like the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry (through its "Find a Physician" option) and at nonprofits like Mental Health America; the National Alliance For Hispanic Health; NAMI's Compartiendo Esperanza campaign; Latinx Therapy, a nonprofit focused on destigmatizing mental health; and Therapy For Latinx, a comprehensive database where you can find Latinx therapists that share a cultural background with you.