nic newling spent his childhood in psychiatric wards and hopping from doctor to doctor who could n't figure out why he felt so depressed .
it took years of trialling medications and experiencing suicidal thoughts before he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder .
when his older brother committed suicide due to his own quieter battle with mental illness , nic 's life was put back into perspective .
he now works as a mental health advocate trying to destroy negative stigmas and encourage open and honest conversation without shame .