Google changed Jason Lee’s life.
The Coquitlam author was wallowing in despair and self-pity after his last failed relationship when he typed the word “abuse” into the online search engine.
Lee recognized himself in the results.
His angry outbursts and controlling behaviour were abusive. No wonder his partner had left him, as previous partners had.
“It was eye opening,” Lee said. “That was a key turning point. Then I had to acknowledge my abusive behaviour and be open about it. That makes me accountable.”
It also began his journey to come to terms with the abuse he endured growing up in Burnaby, the shame he felt for his schizophrenic brother and how his own mistakes had cost him relationships and happiness.
This weekend, Lee will share his story and mentor participants at Lumohacks, a gathering at Simon Fraser University’s Saywell Hall in Vancouver of more than 500 engineers, medical health professionals and grad students who will explore the potential of using technology to tackle mental health issues.
Lee said developing things like apps and gadgets can go a long way to breaking down the walls around mental health — especially for men.
“It’s challenging for men to acknowledge their mental health issues,” said Lee, who has written a book about his own mental health challenges, Living with the Dragon, that will be published in October. “But with technology, I can just seem men relating to that, making that connection.”
That was Lee’s story into his late 30s, when he had his moment of clarity staring at his computer screen. Now 44 and in a happy, stable relationship, he has spent the past several years working with counsellors, reading self-help books, applying techniques he has learned about self-awareness, recognizing the triggers to his abusive behaviour and reaching out.
“You have to step forward and do what is right for yourself and your family,” Lee said. “There’s a lot of bravery and courage in that.”
• To learn more about Lumohacks, go to http://lumohacks.com.
