If you know me at all, you probably know I am OBSESSED with Demi Lovato and have been since 2008. (Or as my family refers to her as, my queen). And if you know my sister at all, you would know she constantly questions my love for Lovato, which I am sure many people do, so I decided to explain it for you.

If you don't know too much about Lovato, she was in a popular Disney Channel movie "Camp Rock," and quickly got sucked up by the Disney machine, making movies, albums, and going on tours nonstop. Eventually the crazy life got the best of her, the pressures added up, and she realized she needed to get help.

If you don't know too much about me, I am a 19-year-old sorority girl, with an amazing, supportive and loving family. I also have depression, and will say this until the day I die: Demi Lovato changed/saved my life. I never would've thought the brunette pop princess I would sing along with when I was 12 would have such a big impact on my life.

Lovato struggled with depression, self-harm, bullying and body issues, sending her to rehab for about a year. (I would be lying if I said I didn't write and send her letters to her facility). When she got out of rehab, she came out about her struggles to let young girls also struggling know they were not alone. I was one of those you girls she reached.

Here are 17 ways and times Lovato helped me realized I may need help, and that was OK.

1. Even though I would cry everyday, and couldn't be happy, even though I had no reason to be sad, I didn't think there was a problem with me.

2. Some people don't take bullying, name calling, or skipping a meal seriously. But it is a very serious issue, and the victims cannot help the way they feel.

3. When you are depressed, you can't think about anything else but how bad everything is (or seems). It's like a big dark cloud that never leaves your mind.

4. When someone criticizes or judges someone else, it's not always so easy to shake off the words and act like they don't bother you.

5. When you are depressed or have an addiction problem, it's hard to convince yourself you are worth feeling better or getting help. But you are, I promise.

6. If you have an addiction, it's not your fault.

7. Some days are going to be not so great.

8. Sometimes you may feel like you are not needed, and nothing would change if you were not here. NOTHING could be farther from the truth.

9. It's easy to put others before yourself, but you deserve just as much love. Try to love yourself the way you want someone else to love you.

10. When you look back at everything, it's hard to find the spot where everything went wrong. It's most important to know it's not your fault.

11. It's really easy to think you are stuck this way, that things will never get better. Nothing is farther from the truth.

12. Not everyday is going to be great, but try to love yourself anyways. It's not easy, but try.

13. One of the biggest things to remind yourself of is that you are not alone. Ever.

14. If you are self-harming, it is an addiction. I know whatever you read isn't going to help, but you are able to get past the part where you feel like that is necessary. You don't deserve it, no matter how much you may think you do.

15. The biggest thing I think people need to realize is that you don't just get help for a week and are done. People who struggle with mental health issues will struggle for the rest of their lives. Sometimes there are good days, sometimes there are really really bad days.

16. What's passed is past. Your old mistakes don't define your future.

17. If you get anything out of this article, it should be this:

This Halloween will mark two years I have been in recovery for depression. In that time, I have had people come up to me to tell me they have been struggling and the fact that I talked about my issues helped them get help for their own. I would be lying if I said getting help was easy, and would be lying if I said posting about your problem on a nationally shared website was easy, but I am not lying about the fact that it's worth it.

If you think you might have a problem, you are not alone. I was able to talk to my family about it; if you cannot, their are other resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255

Or try an anonymous chatroom where you will be connected with someone able to talk to you.

Stay strong.