Demi Lovato: 7 of her most powerful moments of public support for mental health and addiction

This week, it was revealed that pop star and mental health activist Demi Lovato had been rushed to hospital in Los Angeles and treated for an alleged drug overdose.

Luckily, a statement from the singer's representative has since said that the 25-year-old is awake and is with her family. She was reportedly revived with the drug Narcan, which is used to treat opioid overdose.

Demi is awake and with her family, who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support.

Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy and not speculation as her health and recovery is the most important thing right now.

Lovato was first hospitalised for drug addiction, an eating disorder and depression in 2011, at the age of 18. After remaining clean for more than six years, she released the emotional single 'Sober' last month, which features moving lyrics apologising for her slide back into addiction.

The star has never shied away from sharing the fact she's struggled with mental health issues such as bulimia, as well as addiction to drugs, and has consistently tried to use her experiences to help others who may be suffering, as well as becoming an active advocate for destigmatisation, awareness and support.

Since her hospitalisation, there has been an outpouring of support for the star on social media, with the hashtag #PrayForDemi trending.

Stars Lily Allen, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry have also offered their condolences and wishes that Lovato returns to health.

Here, we round up some of her most powerful moments of mental health and addiction advocacy, where she's been able to turn her pain and struggles into a means to help and educate others.

1. Release of 'Sober'.

Taking to Twitter, Lovato said that she's 'never been more proud of a song in her life', than of Sober, which she released in June this year. The moving song is about the fact that, after six years, she is no longer sober, and she uses it to apologise to the people that have supported her throughout her journey:

Momma, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore/And daddy please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor.

2. Simply Complicated documentary.

In 2017, she released Simply Complicated, a documentary in which she openly described how her relationship with drugs and alcohol began in her teens, and has described how her father's addiction may have influenced her own behaviour.

I felt out of control the first time I did it. My dad was an addict and an alcoholic. Guess I always searched for what he found in drugs and alcohol because it fulfilled him and he chose that over a family.

3. Speech marking six years of sobriety.

On March 15 2018, during her Tell Me You Love Me tour performance in Brooklyn, New York, Lovato delivered an emotional speech marking her six year anniversary of getting sober.

Speaking to cheering fans, she said:

Yesterday, six years ago, I was drinking vodka out of a Sprite bottle at 9 in the morning, throwing up in the car.

And I just remember thinking, 'This is no longer cute. This is no longer fun. And I'm just like my dad.'

So I took a look at my life and I said, 'Something has to change, I've got to get sober' - so I did. 

4. The Beyond Silence documentary.

In June 2018, inspired by her own battles with mental health issues, Lovato released the documentary Beyond Silence, which follows three individuals, Jeff Fink, Lauren Burke, and Lloyd Hale, and their struggles with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

Speaking to Variety about the release, she said:

You can hear in the documentary how different they are, but also how alike they are.

It’s important that we get that message out there because mental health is so important - it’s just important as physical health.

5. Democratic National Convention speech.

In a groundbreaking speech, delivered in June 2016 at the Democratic National Convention, Lovato candidly addressed her struggles with mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction.

Like millions of Americans, I am living with mental illness, but I’m lucky: I had the resources and support to get treatment at a top facility.

Unfortunately, too many Americans from all walks of life don’t get help, either because they fear the stigma or they can not afford treatment.

As well as speaking of her own struggles, she used the speech to call on politicians to support laws that provide access to mental health treatment for those suffering.

Untreated mental illness can lead to devastating consequences including suicide, substance abuse and long-term medical issues.

We can do better. Every one of us can make a difference.

6. Talk at the National Alliance of Mental Illness Action Day.

In 2014, Lovato took to the stage at the National Alliance of Mental Illness Action Day in Washington DC. At the time of the powerful speech, which saw her hailed as leading the way in the mental health conversation, she was only 22 years of age.

Those of us here today know that mental illness has no prejudice. It affects people of every race, age, gender, religion and economic status. It doesn’t discriminate between Republicans or Democrats either.

She continued:

Today our message is very clear: it’s time for Congress to act for mental health by supporting the passage of a comprehensive mental health bill this year.

7. Becomes mental health ambassador for Global Citizen.

In September 2017, Lovato announced her role as the leading mental health ambassador of Global Citizen, a movement with the goal of ending global poverty by 2030.

When she took on the role, she announced that she'd be specifically working with displaced children in Iraq:

My hope is that this program can bring a bit of comfort to those who need it most.

This isn't about politics or race or religion. It's about simple humanity and protecting one another.

HT Fox News

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