Nic Newling didn’t shy away from the tough issues when he talked to Year 10 students at the Riverina Anglican College about mental health.
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But it was his straight-talking style that won over his teenage audience.
Mr Newling, who suffered with a mood disorder throughout high school and lost his brother to suicide, now dedicates himself to changing the way mental illness is addressed.
“He was down to earth, he made a real connection,” Georgia Lewington said.
“I’m coming from the angle of a personal story. I have gone from a place where everything was pretty terrible to now being good,” Mr Newling said.
He said schools and students were often “leading the charge” on mental health.
Support is available from Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224636.