( CNN ) -- Demi Lovato reveals her father did n't `` function very well in society '' before he passed . The 20-year-old singer 's dad Patrick died recently after a battle with cancer . Lovato revealed on Thursday that he suffered from a mental illness . It was previously reported she and her father were estranged for several years , but Lovato has a lot of compassion for her late father . `` I 've dealt with mental illness . My father dealt with mental illness , '' she said during an appearance on `` Good Morning America . '' `` He was n't able to function very well in society . '' Lovato struggles with bipolar disorder , and has also previously discussed issues with self-harming and an eating disorder . The star used her TV appearance to announce she would be setting up a scholarship in her dad 's honor to help one person at a time pay for mental illness treatment . `` I 'm working with Cast Recovery , a treatment center I 've worked really , really closely with , and I have trust in their program , '' she said . The `` X Factor '' judge added that she and her father did not have a close relationship . A few weeks before he died , Patrick reached out to his daughter via Radar Online , telling the website he `` just wanted his little buddy back '' . `` My father and I did n't have the most ideal relationship , '' Lovato acknowledged during her TV interview . `` But at the end of the day , he 's still my dad . And I grew up with him , he was a wonderful person . And it 's difficult . But I 'm handling it OK. '' Lovato also paid tribute to her fans for their support during difficult times . `` The best thing about my fans is they have stood by me for everything I 've been through , '' Lovato said . `` And this past week has been a rough week . I had incredible support from them . '' The star is keeping busy promoting her new single , `` Made in the USA . '' See the original story at CoverMG.com .
Demi Lovato appeared on ` ` Good Morning America '' show . She discussed the death of her husband , Patrick , who struggled with mental illness . In his honor , the city 's setting up a scholarship at a community center to help those in need .