Recording artist, actress and songwriter Demi Lovato recently released a mental health documentary called Beyond Silence which features three individuals who are living with a mental health disorder. Lovato is the executive producer of the film and helps give a voice to others to speak about mental health conditions.

Learn about the 5 things every child needs for good mental health here!

Lovato has been open about her own bipolar disorder diagnosis and her struggles with addiction. Since 2015, she has been a spokesperson for mental health awareness with Be Vocal and worked to reduce the stigma associated with mental heath issues. Lovato hopes the documentary will inspire people to seek help and educate themselves about mental health.

Beyond Silence, which was created in partnership with The Jed Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, shows audiences the lives of three individuals: Lauren, Jeff and Lloyd. These are three people living with different mental health illnesses which include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.

“For 21 years, I was living with bipolar disorder without anybody knowing I was bipolar. I accepted it pretty quickly. In a weird way, it was almost like a key was being unlocked. Like ‘oh, this isn’t just something I’m unable to handle. This is actually something that needs help and needs a different kind of help than I was getting.'” -Lauren talking about getting her diagnosis

In addition to highlighting what life is like for these individuals who are living with a mental illness, the 30-minute film shows how their lives transformed after speaking up about their illness. One in five American children ages 13-18 either have or will experience a mental health condition in their lives. Often, these illnesses go untreated because the stigma associated with mental illness prevents individuals from seeking help. Lovato, along with many other celebrities including Selena Gomez and Kid Cudi, are lending their name to reducing the stigma of mental illness.

Watch the mental health documentary Beyond Silence for free at www.BeVocalSpeakUp.com.

Each year, KVC Hospitals serves thousands of children, adolescents and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, feelings of violence, or other mental and behavioral challenges. The latest neuroscience research shows that these disorders are related to brain development and, sometimes, to the fact that childhood adversity or traumatic experiences interfered with brain development in the first few years of life.

The good news is that the brain continues to develop long into adulthood and can learn in new environments. That’s why our acute/inpatient and residential psychiatric treatment services are designed to promote healthy brain development, build resilience and help our clients learn skills to manage difficult emotions, process trauma and move beyond these experiences.

If you know a child or young adult struggling with a mental or behavioral health challenge, contact our psychiatric hospitals at (913) 890-7468, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).