When Demi Lovato spoke at the Democratic National Convention a few days ago, she opened up about her personal battle with mental illness, and encouraged others enduring similar conditions to “come out” about their health. Now the singer, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010, is bringing that message to her concerts.
The singer is holding pre-concert mental health workshops for fans, where issues such as self-worth, emotional set-backs and fresh starts are discussed. Every night before Lovato’s performance Mike Bayer, the life coach who helped the star through her battles with mental illness, will speak to those in attendance. She’ll keep the workshops going through her Future Now tour, which is currently rolling out across America.
Lovato is touring with fellow Disney alum Nick Jonas, and Bayer has said he hopes having the two stars speak openly about their own experience will instil youngsters with the belief there’s no shame in talking about emotions. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 60 percent of people living with mental illness won’t seek help in a given year.
“I’ve always believed mental health should be mainstream — like overall, everyone struggles, so why are things put in boxes?” Mike Bayer said in an interview after Lovato’s concert in Washington earlier this week. We couldn’t agree more.
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Text Amy Campbell
Image via @ddlovato