Demi Lovato has been our mental health queen for a while now. She's been through the trenches of substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and body image issues, and has continued to share what she's learned through each season of her life. Now, in a time where many individuals are finding themselves in isolation thanks to coronavirus (COVID-19), Lovato is once again advocating for mental health with her new organization, The Mental Health Fund.
In an interview with People, Lovato explained The Mental Health Fund's part in assisting the mental health crisis facing many Americans today. With the help of her GoFundMe — which has already raised over $2 million — The Mental Health Fund will be supporting Crisis Text Line, Shout, Kids Help Phone, and Spunout.ie. These four organizations provide crisis text services 24-7 with no fees and no apps to download.
The mental health environment surrounding COVID-19 is dark, as many individuals find themselves alone with their thoughts, insecurities, and without many coping methods they may have grown accustomed to. In March, at the outbreak of COVID-19, crisis text line services saw a 40 percent increase in the volume of messages they received. Lovato recognized how the pandemic is impacting individuals' mental health just as it's rapidly shifting our physical environment. With additional funding to crisis text line services, these organizations can recruit and train more individuals, ultimately serving more people who need someone to talk to.
Even if we are physically alone, we are never alone in the struggles we face.
If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse or mental health issues, call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.
