JoJo Discusses Clinical Depression Diagnosis At 18 And How She's Grown From Past Experiences

JoJo has been in the spotlight since her debut single "Leave (Get Out)" in 2004, and now, ahead of the release of her new album, "Good to Know," on May 1, she is speaking out about the dark experiences she once had and what she learned as she navigated the hurdles over the years following a clinical depression diagnosis as a teenager.

In a new interview with People, JoJo, whose real name is Joanna Levesque, revealed that after she was told that she had major depressive disorder, she began taking proactive steps, such as taking antidepressants at 18 years old. At the time, the news also didn't surprise the musician, as she said people in her family have also faced their own struggles with mental health. As a result, she said she "didn't feel any shame seeking help."

Not only did the 29-year-old share that she had to find ways to deal with her diagnosis, but she also had to begin revising her own behaviors as well.

When speaking to the publication, she said that watching her father struggle with opioid addiction and seeing her career become stalled due to a dispute regarding her record contract. Previously, she spoke to Nylon at length about the troubles she faced due to her contract and coming back after such a long period of not creating music.

"I did feel like I had to remake a case for myself, and re-establish who I am, and essentially say, 'This is me. Do you love me still?' It was a vulnerable thing," she revealed.

As a result, she began feeling overwhelmed and turned to alcohol as a way to escape. After seeing her choices becoming more and more disruptive to her everyday life, including days where she would wake up and not remember how she got home, she decided to take control of her life. It was then that she began leaning into mental health therapy, medication, exercise, and journaling.

As for what helped her change her habits, she said taking a look at the bigger picture seemed to serve her well.

"I looked at what I could control as opposed to what was out of my control. What was out of my control was I never knew what I was going to get from my father, if he was going to OD again; if my record label was going to let me out of my deal, or if I was ever going to legally be able to own my own voice again," she said.

As for how she continues to take control of her life, she said that she no longer drinks to escape and is looking forward to turning 30 because she hears it "gets better" and feels her new confidence "reverberates."