Demi Lovato Pays Tribute to Her Dad a Year After His Death: "There's Peace in Knowing He's Not Suffering Anymore"

Patrick Lovato died June 22, 2013, after reportedly battling cancer; Demi opened up about his struggle with mental illness after his passing

Demi Lovato is doing her best to stay positive during what must be a very sad time.

"Can't believe it's already been a year.. Wish I could've hugged you one last time.. RIP Daddy, I love you," the 21-year-old pop star tweeted Friday. She also posted a collage of photos taken of her when she was a little girl with her dad Patrick.

He died last year on June 22 at the age of 54. No cause was announced but he had reportedly battled cancer.

But that wasn't the only thought that Demi shared today.

"My dad suffered from severe mental illness so at least there's peace in knowing he's not suffering anymore," she also wrote.

The "Give Your Heart a Break" singer, who has been so open about her own struggles as a way of lending support to others facing similar issues, revealed shortly after Patrick's death that he had mental health problems, which contributed to their estrangement.

"I've dealt with mental illnesses, and my father also dealt with mental illness. He wasn't able to function in society very well," Demi said on Good Morning America the week after losing her dad, whom she said she had not spoken to in two years. 

"I'm handling it OK," she said. "My father and I didn't have the most ideal relationship. But at the end of the day, he's still my dad. I grew up with him, and he's a wonderful person."

At the time Demi also announced the creation of the Lovato Treatment Scholarship in her father's memory, to go toward the cost of treatment for those at CAST Recovery in Santa Monica, Calif., struggling with mental health or addiction issues.