These symptoms i recognize. I am in a treatment protocol for them now and am doing well. However, i know, one day, two days without treatment, these things come back. Unfortunately, andrew being involved in a concussive blast, we have just now determined that he has well, ptsd, but they have not looked at his brain yet. There may be residual affects that is going to cause this a little bit longer to be treated and for him to sit in a prison, and i know we are hesitant to say it, but he has been beaten. He has been treated like a pow imprisoned for making a mistake. His treatment here is worse than his treatment in afghanistan. For a person to make that statement, he knows it. This is an example of what we need to make sure we take care of for the other guys, the other soldiers suffe or now with celebrity appearances from 2014. She has spoken about her struggles with depression and urged congress to pass a comprehensive Mental Health bill. This is under 15 minutes. The howard of our advocacy flows from our lived experiences. Our next speaker is a powerful voice. Recording artist, author, actress, and Mental Health advocate, demi lovato is a profile in courage. Like the title of her incredible album, she is unbroken by her experience with depression and eating disorders. Last year th she was honored for her mentorship of young adults with Substance Abuse issues, and this year her book staying strong 365 days a year made the New York Times bestseller list. The summer, she embarked on an engagement sure to share her story and perform with leaders at events around the country, such as art today. At events aro,. Uch as art today we are especially grateful for her being here today because in just teed of days she will start her world tour and 28 u. S. Cities and across canada. [applause] yeah. Includes over 24 million diehard twitter followers and 46 million weebook fans, many of whom hope will join us today in our day of action. Fans live at our home in arlington, virginia and 10 and 15. I am grateful to her as an advocate, but i am so grateful to her as a mom. I cannot tell you how much it means to have a celebrity as a role model, who takes her fame and uses it to raise awareness, to tell young girls and all of prejudice thathe keeps so many from speaking out and get help. She brings hope to all of those affected by Mental Illness and we are thrilled to have her here with us today. [applause] thank you so much. That introduction was really overwhelming. Most positive way. So, thank you. Everyone. Yone hi, my people. It is an honor and a privilege to be here today, at namis national day of average of action. Out at you is amazing. It is great to see so many people dedicated to improving the lives of others. Seeing people of all ages across the country coming together gives me so much hope that changes really possible. Those of us here today know that people ofness affects every race, age, gender, and economic status. It does not discriminate between republicans or democrats [applause] thats why we are here today. We needed to send a simple message to our nation possibly leaders. Nation possibly leaders. Nations leaders. Comprehensive Mental Health bills this year need to be passed. [applause] we have the power to make the difference and the personal experience needed to be taken we know what it means to have our lives or the lives of people we love get off track because of Mental Illness. That mentald illness is serious and can be absolutely devastating. We also know that Mental Illness can be treatable when we have the access to appropriate comprehensive care. I know it is largely because of our personal experience with Mental Illness that each of us is here today. As i learn more about my own illness and the experience of others, i realize how much we all have in common. Even if Mental Illness has made a few headlines because of my career. There is a number of ways in which i have been very lucky. Yet, even with access to so much, my journey has not been an easy one by any means. During my darkest times, i did not know why i was alive and i did not like myself. Have very low its that were so emotionally draining that i cannot find the strength to crawl out of bed in the morning. I was withdrawn, disconnected and very angry. There were stretches of time when i felt nothing but shame. I would medicate myself with drugs and alcohol in an effort to feel normal. Not better, just normal. I did not understand why ith ally like me w the reasons in the world to be emotionally well, i cannot find happiness. When i finally got diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it was a relief in so many ways. It helped me to start make sense of my bold polar bipolar depression and the things i was doing to cope with it. Getting the right diagnosis did not happen overnight. Through the process of being misdiagnosed and misunderstood, i learned how important it is to be open with your doctor so you can get the root of what is going on as soon as possible. The journey to living well with bipolar disorder involved seeing a therapist, being honest with myself and others, following my treatment plan and taking care of my body. It requires comprehensive care. [applause] there was not one day when the light came on and said im better. Thirdmes the second, medication we try is not the one that works the best. We only to ourselves to keep trying. You are not a car. And gett go to the shop fixed immediately. You need ongoing maintenance. There will always be work for us to do. I can only do the work now because i truly believe that i am worth it. Today, im so grateful for my life and i want to preserve and protect it. [applause] it is my personal mission to share with others of all ages, people who are children that are dont know myhat music at all but hopefully my speech has some impact. It is my mission to share this with the world and let them know that there is life on the other side of this dark time that seems so hopeless and helpless. I want to show the world that there is life, surprising, wonderful and unexpected like. After diagnosis. Unexpected life. [applause] i am proud to say that i am living proof that someone can live, love and thrive with bipolar disorder if they get connected with professional resources and accept support as soon as possible. Thats why i am participating in engagementhealth tour, getting to know people like you. Do my part to make things easier for others and to reduce the shame associated with Mental Illness. I want to do what i can to make things better for others by becoming the strongest and most informed Mental Health advocate i can be. Today, we have a chance to make history with nami, an organization that has been the forefront of advancing Mental Health in this country for decades. [applause] we have seen increased attention to our broken Mental Health system over the past few years. Have seen very little action. Today, our message is very clear. It is time for congress to act for Mental Health by supporting the passage of a comprehensive Mental Health bill this year. [applause] i understand that the details around cumbrias of Mental Health care are complex. I am not a policy expert in any way, shape or form that i do know the basics of conference of care make good sense, common sense. Comprehensive care means we step up our efforts to prevent suicide, which is currently the second leading cause of death for young adults in the united states. Means if ave care man with Mental Illness gets , his doctorsancer Work Together to determine what the best approach for his mind and body is. Covered hands of care also means that when a woman leaves a psychiatric hospital, there is a process to make sure she gets the care she needs it so she does not end up back in jail, hospitals or on the streets or even dead. [applause] at the heart of it, comprehensive care means our Mental Health system reaches people early and far more often so fewer people fall through the cracks and suffer loss. I am so proud to be with you here today. Together as Mental Health advocates, we can make our voices heard. Our shared message is simple