Former Disney star and international pop sensation Demi Lovato became a household name for our generation during her “Camp Rock” days and tours with the Jonas Brothers. After very public battles with eating disorders and mental health, Lovato, 23, has used her platform to help other teens who struggle with similar issues. When talking with BuzzFeed recently about why continuing conversations surrounding mental health is so important, Lovato said the following:

“Mental illnesses aren’t looked at like physical illnesses and the problem with that is our brain is actually the most complex organ in our body; it’s a very important organ and if we don’t treat this like a physical illness, the problems aren’t going to be solved. It takes a long time to figure out what works best for you, you can’t just put a stamp on it. There are insurance companies that only pay for specific coverage plans and for a short amount of time. They fail to think about mental illnesses as if they’re causing physical harm, which really only ends up hurting us more.”

According to CBS News, Lovato headed for the National Council for Behavioral Health's Hill Day in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to discuss her new initiative Be Vocal: Speak Up For Mental Health. The initiative aims to encourage youth and teens across America to use their voices for change in mental health reform. Their site urges visitors to use social media platforms to spread awareness about mental health and the importance of a paradigm shift in the way we address mental health in the United States. Lovato, who is living with bipolar disorder, teamed up with mental health advocacy organizations and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to create this website and initiative.

This initiative, along with her personal mission for mental health reform, landed Lovato in Washington, D.C. this past week to lobby Capitol Hill on the issue. In an interview with "MSNBC Live With Tamron Hall," Lovato discussed her dislike for the way mental health is portrayed in the wake of every school shooting. Her interview was unfortunately framed around one of the latest instances of school shootings at Umpqua Community College in Oregon that left nine people dead. Lovato’s opinion on the issue takes a strong stance in support of millions worldwide who struggle with mental health issues.

“Well, unfortunately, we’ve had several instances where mental health has been brought to the attention by the media because of these tragedies,” Lovato said. “I think it’s really important to remember that people with mental illness are actually more likely to inflict harm on themselves and become the victim rather than be the perpetrators.”

Her message during her visit to Washington, D.C. and beyond is all about proper diagnosis and treatment for individuals with mental health. There is a tendency when school shootings or public massacres occur to use mental health as the scapegoat, and the media portrayal of mental health does nothing but harm for the way we view its place in society. With World Mental Health Day falling recently on Oct. 10, the time is now to truly change the way we talk about mental health both in the United States and across the globe.

Lovato, who’s highly anticipated fifth album is set to be released this year, with singles “Cool for the Summer” and “Confident” already on radios across the country, is more than just a talented singer. With her ability to relate to others and share her story publicly, Lovato has touched hearts across the globe. With her recent trip to Capitol Hill discussing mental health reform, there is an important spotlight being put on the way we address mental health in this country. As she said in her BuzzFeed interview, “The more conversations that are raised, the more we can do about it and even start to move toward getting mental health reform. If we raise awareness and start having a lot of conversations, Congress has no choice but to listen.”