Demi Lovato to take part in mental health workshop pre-concert at MGM Grand
It’s one of the most unusual “supporting acts” I’ve ever heard of for a touring pop-rock show. Not only is it unique, but it also is courageous for 23-year-old Demi Lovato when she brings her “Future Now” 44-city tour with best friend Nick Jonas to MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night.
You can read the story of their incredible friendship as each other’s confidant in our new Friday Neon report in Friday’s Las Vegas Review-Journal.
This has to be a first for any form of touring music shows. Demi will take part in a mental health wellness workshop for about an hour before she goes onstage at MGM Grand Garden Arena. She’ll sit in as a Las Vegas speaker specializing in mental health-related subjects talks to about 150 concertgoers.
Demi has never hidden the fact that in 2010 she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She was in a treatment center for three months for drug abuse, a self-harming disorder and bulimia.
“The workshop teaches me something every time I hear someone speak. It’s been refreshing and rewarding to watch people in the room.” Nick has sat in on sessions to be supportive.
Self-development coach and Los Angeles therapist Michael Bayer, who is credited with helping Demi save her life, developed the clinic sessions for fans with her. Admission is free, but ticket holders must sign up in advance online.
Said Demi: “I don’t want to shove it down anyone’s throat. I used to speak about illness onstage trying to take away the stigma and taboos of mental illness.”
