WHAT started out as three words has grown into an entire speech at an international mental health conference.
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Corowa father Pat Lawson spoke to the audience at America’s National Council for Behavioural Health’s Natcon last week.
A snippet of Suicide: The Ripple Effect documentary was presented at the event to give people an insight into various peoples’ mental health challenges.
Mr Lawson’s struggle, which resulted in his determination to help others, was one of several stories portrayed in the footage.
He returned to Corowa on Friday and told The Border Mail it was an “incredible” experience.
While he had hoped to go and learn from people in the US, he said the Australians might have taught them a thing or two.
“Sunday night they showed the trailer of The Ripple Effect which went absolutely gangbusters, we had a full house there for it.
“We met a lot of people who were doing the same thing we are doing to break the stigma behind mental illness and prevent suicide.
“One thing I really noticed was how far behind the US was compared to Australia.
“It was odd to find that out.
“We work together and, as a group, are all fighting for the same thing - that’s one thing we do amazingly,
“They also don’t offer a Lived Experience Network like we do.”
The event ran for three days from March 6 in Las Vegas.
Mr Lawson was joined at the conference by seven other Australians involved with the documentary.
He said, besides handing out the occasional free hug, he spent most of the time listening and networking.
“They had lots of questions for us, we were there to watch seminars and see how they do things,” Mr Lawson said.
“We were there to learn how they do things, but we didn’t learn as much as we thought we would because we are already so far ahead.
“I do think we taught them some things over there and they treated us like rock stars.
“For them to hear our stories and take in what we were talking about blew me away.”
Mr Lawson’s mental health journey began in February last year when he was diagnosed with clinical depression, anxiety and emotional lability.
He started the ‘3 Words: I Need Help’ Facebook page to share his journey and let people know it’s OK to reach out.
Next, he wants to reach out to schools and rural communities.
He said he hoped to attend the conference annually, the next one will be held in Seattle.
People experiencing hardship should contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.