How Fans Are Showing Demi Lovato She Can Still Be a Role Model After Her Relapse

On Tuesday, TMZ reported that singer and mental health advocate Demi Lovato was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. Lovato, who has always been open about her history of addiction, her struggle with an eating disorder and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, had just last month released a song called “Sober,” where she revealed she had relapsed.

Since her hospitalization, fans and celebrities alike have come together to support Lovato as she recovers. One fan account, Demi Lovato News, started the hashtag #HowDemiHasHelpedMe.

Lovatics I’m starting the hashtag #HowDemiHasHelpedMe. Please share your stories and positive things so hopefully Demi sees positive things if she comes online. pic.twitter.com/Krpcz3Q9Z1

— Demi Lovato News (@demetriaaalove) July 25, 2018

The owner of the account, who identified themselves as a “Lovatic” from Texas, says they started the hashtag to show how much Lovato has done for her fans.

“Since the news [of Lovato’s overdose] broke there was an outpouring of love… but I also did notice some not so nice things being said,” they told The Mighty. “In particular, someone saying how Demi wasn’t a role model.”

They were encouraged to start the hashtag to show that despite her relapse, Lovato was still someone to look up to.

For roughly 6 years she’s been very open about her struggles and has helped millions of people find the courage to seek help, ask for help as well as start conversations about mental health issues and addiction. I also feel that Demi may as well feel like she let her fans down so I wanted to show her the same support she’s given her Lovatics countless times, during this difficult journey she’s currently on. I hope that she sees it eventually and realizes that we understand what addiction is and don’t blame her for it and that no matter what we support her.

For example, Mighty contributor Rachel Christine shared that meeting Lovato at one of her concerts encouraged her to get help:

I met you backstage at a concert during your Neon Lights tour. I remember that day so well because it was soon after I found out you went to treatment for your struggles, like bulimia, bipolar disorder and addiction. But standing next to you in that photo was a ghost of myself. I couldn’t even stand through the whole concert, I was running on so little. When that photo was sent to me, I knew I needed to follow your example and get help.

Do you have a #HowDemiHasHelpedMe story? Join the conversation here.

Here are some of the stories people are sharing: 

#HowDemiHasHelpedMe i remember one night in the hospital after an attempt, i was sitting in my hospital room on the floor next to the radio with my head against the wall and tears were streaming down my face.
then skyscraper came on the radio.
and i knew id be okay.

— kelvin (@kelvincatalano0) July 25, 2018

i was bullied at school and i’ve always been insecure/shy. demi helped me so many times and one day i was in a really bad day, so i posted a letter saying how i was feeling about myself and she commented this. i have no words to say how much i love her. ????❤#HowDemiHasHelpedMe pic.twitter.com/EYOp6UHjMQ

— yαsmin (@lovatoart) July 25, 2018

#HowDemiHasHelpedMe P2: The night I attempted suicide Demi had a performance on tv. My dad was watching it and not me. I was upstairs in my room taking pills to overdose. I heard skyscraper from my room so I told my mom I took pills and checked into a hospital for 8 Days.

— Alyssa (@Harmonizing_Ari) July 25, 2018

I’ve suffered from mental illness. eating disorder. self harm. and addiction. I don’t know where I would be today if I didn’t have Demi Lovato in my life. She’s helped me for YEARS when no else bothered to check on me. She did with her words and music. #HowDemiHasHelpedMe

— тεℓℓ мε үσυ ℓσvε мε (@demicangetit) July 25, 2018

It got to a point in my life where I was in an abusive friendship. I know I doesn’t sound like a horrific thing but this is something that really hit me. I wanted to end my life, thinking that way they will never hurt me again. Then I discovered Demi’s music. #HowDemiHasHelpedMe

— just your average (and fucking crazy) lovatic ???? (@vxnessx2803) July 26, 2018

#HowDemiHasHelpedMe she taught me that recovery is never a straight line and relapses happen to everyone. And that’s okay, it doesn’t mean you aren’t trying or that you’ll never get better.

— emily (@baemamee) July 26, 2018

#HowDemiHasHelpedMe she showed me that instead of being embarrassed about struggling with mental health, I should speak up & speak out to help and encourage others & myself to seek help and love ourselves regardless of our struggles ????

— tay ॐ (@taylorsann) July 25, 2018