Demi Lovato Is Now a Mental Health Ambassador for Young People In Iraq

Demi Lovato has never shied away when it comes to talking about her mental health. The singer has remained open about her past struggles with drug addiction, cutting, and her eating disorder. In 2011, Lovato announced publicly that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011.

“If you know someone or if you’re dealing with it yourself, just know that it is possible to live well,” Lovato, told PEOPLE magazine. “I’m living proof of that.”

The 25-year-old “Sorry Not Sorry” singer is now taking that wise awareness and hopes to help other people dealing with similar struggles.

On Saturday in Central Park, New York, at the Global Citizen concert, it was announced that Lovato is the first Global Citizen Mental Health Ambassador for a pilot program in collaboration with Save the Children. The program is called Healing and Education through the Arts, and will be aimed at young people living in Iraq’s Kirkuk and Salah al Din areas. Lovato and Global Citizen will be funding the program.

It’s an honor to be the new Mental Health Ambassador for @glblctzn 🙏🏼 Excited for the pilot program planned with @SavetheChildren in Iraq! pic.twitter.com/hpU79HiV1H

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 24, 2017

“Ending the stigma around mental health conditions and supporting internally displaced children to build physical and mental resilience through education and access to justice is not a choice, it needs to happen, and it needs to happen now,” Lovato said onstage.

Lovato said on Instagram that as Mental Health Ambassador she will be able to “focus on vulnerable communities around the world,” adding that “with [Global Citizen’s] support and our combined platforms, I will be able to further my work around some of the issues I deeply care about as it relates to mental health and well-being around the world.”

In her post, the singer explained the reason that compelled her to seek a way to make a difference to the youth in Iraq.

“In October 2016, I, along with my friend and partner Mike Bayer, went to Kurdistan to visit one of the biggest refugee camps in the world. The experience of meeting with some of the displaced families, and my encounter with a very young girl who told me all she wants is to just be happy (what a simple and yet completely out of reach wish), will stay with me for the rest of my life…The trauma that displaced families and children all around the world feel from losing not only their homes, but also some of the people closest to them, is unfathomable and has long lasting impacts. My hope is that this program can bring at bit of comfort to those who need the most. This isn’t about politics or race or religion. It’s simply about humanity and protecting one another.”