Demi Lovato

The 'X Factor' USA judge's estranged father Patrick Lovato died last week after a long battle with cancer and while they weren't close, Demi admitted it has been a difficult time for her.

Speaking on 'Good Morning America', she said: “I’m handling it okay, my father and I didn’t have the most ideal relationship. But at the end of the day, he’s still my dad and I grew up with him and he’s a wonderful person. It’s difficult…I’m handling it okay.”

Demi also revealed plans to launch the Lovato Treatment Scholarship in collaboration with CAST Recovery, which will cover treatment expenses for those struggling with mental health or addiction issues.

The 20-year-old singer has spent time in rehab for emotional issues and opened up about her father's mental illness.

Explaining she hopes to "help one person at a time," Demi said: "My father dealt with mental illnesses and he wasn’t able to function in society and that happens to a lot of people.”

Demi, who was raised by her mother Dianna and her stepfather, Eddie De La Garza, has previously opened up about her strained relationship with Patrick.

In 2011, she penned a song about him, 'For the Love of a Daughter', and in 2009 the singer-and-actress revealed she hadn't spoken to her biological father in "two years".

She said: "The last time I talked to him was two years ago. You try to have faith in somebody, even when you're the last person that believes in him. But when somebody lets you down after you've been the only one there for them, and so many times, you don't know what else to do. I had to cut off all connection. It was hurting me too much."