article_snippet.sent: Both Nic (left) and Christopher (centre, with eldest brother Ben right) suffered from mental health problems at the same time .
article_snippet.sent: The level of support and acceptance of mental health problems that Nic experienced was a far cry from the experience of Nic older brother Christopher. '
article_snippet.sent: It took at least another two years after his brother's death before Nic (pictured) was correctly diagnosed with bi-polar and set on the correct path of treatment, but not without another stint in a psych ward and doctor's experimenting with every drug for depression under the sun . '
article_snippet.sent: Christopher's (left and right) mental health problems peaked after a surgery that left Nic's eldest brother bed ridden and unable to play rugby: 'Nic's eldest brother would really keep it close to Nic's eldest brother because Nic's eldest brother had a lot more to lose socially - Nic's eldest brother was an alpha-male, jock, lovable larrikin and athletic type
article_snippet.sent: and I think Nic's eldest brother really felt that if Nic's eldest brother would have talked about having depression and anxiety it would made Nic's eldest brother look like less of a man' '
article_snippet.sent: How can you discuss anything and have that chair sitting there?' that chair took at least another two years after his brother's death before Nic was correctly diagnosed with bi-polar and set on the correct path of treatment, but not without another stint in a psych ward and doctor's experimenting with every drug for depression under the sun.
highlights_snippet.sent: his older brother  now works as a mental health advocate trying to destroy negative stigmas and encourage open and honest conversation without shame .