THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007
NEWS
3A
HEALTH
Lending a hand, getting a hand
Program lets patients counsel others with mental illnesses
BY DYLAN SANDS
dsands@kansan.com
Petra Robinson knows what it's like to hit rock bottom. She said she had lived life at the bottom of the barrel while struggling with bipolar disorder for most of her life. Deana Farm also has bipolar disorder. She said she used to spend days on end in bed and abused alcohol to quell her depression.
A training program through the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare has paved the way for both women to recover and provide counseling to others suffering from mental illnesses. The Consumers as Providers Training Program, or CAP, will receive a 2007 Eli Lilly Reintegration Award in Indianapolis on Friday. The award will come with a $5,000 grant to help pay for program's efforts.
The program works in conjunction with mental health agencies to select patients with severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and forms of depression. The patients then undergo a
training process that qualifies them to treat others dealing with the same disorders.
Anna Collins, program coordinator and trainer at the School of Social Welfare, said the program taught patients to help others by helping themselves
Theprogramputstraineesthrough
an education process that is similar to typical college courses. They meet in a classroom setting once a week during closed sessions at universities and community colleges. They work through a 15-week course on
"The program enhances peoples' recovery journey," she said. "They enter the program and graduate with their own health improved. They've adapted a new role, they're empowered by new knowledge, and it enhances their self-esteem."
work through a social welfare. Collins said the classroom setting was essential to inspiring the trainees to continue postsecondary education later in life.
"When you think about accommodations at univer
"When I was younger, I didn't know what my options were. I had no confidence in myself."
24 and immediately enrolled. She completed the training program and took a position at Johnson County Mental Health as a peer specialist supervisor.
sities, you usually think about physical disabilities, not mental health issues," she said. "When the individuals are in a class, they are seen as students and treated as students. Everybody in the class has a severe mental illness, so no one feels stigmatized."
DEANA FARMER Program participant
Once the class is complete, the students have a seven-week internship working with a mentor in a mental health facility.
"CAP has played such a miracul
"CAP has played such a miraculous role in my life as part of my mental wellness, and I've found my calling in life."
Robinson said the program changed her life. She said she experienced deep depression and lacked motivation when she turned 18. Many people often
PETRA ROBINSON Program participant
begin to suffer from depression and other disorders when they reach college age.
"That's really when it comes to a head," Robinson said. "You're an adult, and you're on your own for the first time. It can be very lonely."
Robinson, now 28, said she heard about the program when she was
tous rote in my life as part of my mental wellness, and I've found my calling in life," she said. "It showed me a whole new world."
She said the experience had motivated her to pursue a bachelor's degree from the KU. School of
Social Welfare.
"I still have bad days; it doesn't go away," she said, "But education and support have shown me that recovery is real, and you can lead a successful life. It is a very empowering thing."
Deana Farmer, 41, said she was first diagnosed with bipolar depression when she was 12. She completed the program six years ago and became a care counselor at Valeo, an adult mental health provider in Topeka.
Farmer said young people suffering from depression often did not realize help was available.
"When I was younger, I didn't know what my options were. I had no confidence in myself," she said. "I worked hard on my recovery. I couldn't have done it without CAPS."
She now works with people who are in the same situation.
"They've had no help, especially around college age," she said. "I help them focus and find new avenues they can take. I can't believe how much CAP opened doors for me."
Edited by Kaitlyn Syring
ACTIVISM
Group walks across town to help Ugandan children
BY SARAH NEFF
sneff@kansan.com
Julia Guard walked four miles Saturday evening carrying a sign that read "I walk for peace in Uganda."
Guard, Lawrence freshman, along with 53 other students and Lawrence residents, participated in the Lawrence Gulu Walk to raise money for the orphaned and abducted children in northern Uganda. Several carried signs and wore orange Gulu Walk T-shirts.
Gulu Walk groups in cities worldwide walked on Saturday to bring attention to the children in northern Uganda who have to walk several miles each night just so they can sleep in safety from the Lord's Resistance Army. The army, formed in 1987, is a guerrilla army engaged in an armed rebellion against the Ugandan government.
Campus group KU for Uganda organized the Gulu Walk in Lawrence. Briana Saunders, Vancouver Island,
British Columbia, junior and co-president of KU for Uganda, said the group raised almost $1,200 for the cause. She said several people asked her after the walk how they could get involved.
"It was encouraging to see all the support: people passing by in cars and on the street, honking horns, throwing up peace signs and just generally cheering us on." Saunders said.
About 25 students from Free State High School's Social Awareness Club participated in the walk. Robert Halloran. Free State junior, said he walked to teach the community more about the issue.
"The biggest problem is that people don't know about it." Halloran said.
Referred to as icons, participants in the Gulu Walk registered on the Web site guluwalk.com. Celebrities such as singer Sarah McLachlan and NBA player Steve Nash participated in the walk in other cities. All participants were responsible for getting their
own sponsors, and 75 percent of the proceeds went directly to programs to help the children in northern Uganda. Fifteen percent went to the education and awareness initiative for the Uganda situation, and the remaining 10 percent went to administrative costs for the Gulu Walk program.
This was the third year of the Gulu Walk. It began in July 2005 when two women walked 12 miles to the Toronto City Hall each night for a month. They would sleep for just four hours before walking another 12 miles home. The trend grew from there, and last year Gulu Walks around the world raised more than $500,000.
Lawrence participants marched from the Kansas Union down Jayhawk Boulevard to Naismith Drive, down 19th Street to Massachusetts Street, then up Ninth Street to Mississippi Street, and back to the Kansas Union.
Edited by Chris Beattie
》 WORLD
2008 elections could replace Castro
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HAVANA — Cubans opened an election cycle Sunday that will lead to a decision next year on whether ailing leader Fidel Castro will remain atop the communist-run island's supreme governing body.
undergoing emergency intestinal surgeries and ceding power to a provisional government headed by his brother in July 2006.
The nationwide municipal voting marked the start of a multitiered process that culminates with parliamentary elections next spring. Lawmakers could then decide to officially replace Castro, 81, with his younger brother Raul as leader of the 31-member Council of State
The elder Castro has been the island's unchallenged leader since his revolution toppled dictator Fulgencio Bataista in 1959. But he has not been seen in public since
Some 37,258 candidates were vying for 15,236 positions on municipal assemblies nationwide, and official media have said turnout of more than 95 percent of the island's 8.3 million eligible voters was expected.
In a statement read on official television during a subsequent
national newscast, Castro did not mention the elections, but referred to news from Washington that, in coming days, President Bush planned to announce initiatives aimed at fostering democratic transition in Cuba.
"Bush is obsessed with Cuba," Castro wrote, accusing the U.S. administration of harboring terrorists, torturing terror suspects held at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay and prolonging the 45-year-old trade embargo against the island.
The White House said Bush would announce "new initiatives" on Cuba at the State Department on Wednesday. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Bush would "emphasize the importance of democracy for the Cuban people."
October 22,2007
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Come support the students meet new people, and enjoy Veggie Lunch!
Join the ECM for a Bake Sale supporting Alternative Winter Breaks to El Salvador and the Juarez Border during Veggie Lunch every Thursday in October at the ECM.
Welcome to the Brazilian JUNGLE
Tickets available ($7") at:
- SUA Office (KS Union) and The G
Olathe - The Brazilian Store
BRASA's Fall Party '07 October 26th @ the Granada - 9pm
Just Drinks
Come and enjoy FreeFair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. Mondays, 4pm at the ECM
Salon Nouveau Fatal Attraction! Gender on the Silver Screen Join the Commission on the Status of Women for a discussion of gender in film Oct 23, 7:00pm in Alcove G in the Kansas Union"
Salon Nouveau
The top competitors will receive an offer of a paid internship for the summer 2008 at either Philip Morris USA or Northwestern Mutual Financial.
Showcase your creative, analytical, team building and I
espership skills through a series of competitive events.
The Intern
Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 4:00p.m.at the Dole Institute of Politics
The competition takes place the even-ings of October 30 and November 7, and during the day November 9.
funded by:
STUDENT
SENATE
You can pick up and submit a registration form in 118E Summerfield. All forms must be submitted by Monday, October 22. The form will have more detailed information if you are interested.
Jules Whitcover, a former political reporter, columnist, and author.
"Presidential Politics From The Inside"
Study Group, Hosted by Dole Fellow Jerry Austin, Presents:
PAID FOR BY KU
"Women in Politics: Career Stories"
The Brazilian Week - Fall'07 "Welcome to the Jungle"
Jo Ann Davidson, Co-chair of the Republican National Committee and 20 year member of the Ohio house of representatives.
Oct 23rd (Tue) - SummaAx Workshops
The Ballroom at the Kansas Union 7:30-9:00 - FREE
Dole Fellow, and host, Jennifer Schmidt Presents:
@at24th (Wed) - Brazilian Symposium
The Ballroom at the Kansas Union. 7:30-9:30pm - FREE
Free lessons of芭蕾舞舞蹈 - get ready to party with Brazilian dance instructors
4:00pm, Wed. Oct 24th at the Dole Institute of Politics
308 Burge Union, 7-9:30pm - FREE
Symposium about Braziel and the Amazon, featuring Dr. Paul Sheed (Spanish & Port)
Dr. Melissa Birch (Business), Pedro dos Santos (Political Sciences), and
Rafael Demarco (Molecular Biosciences).
Out 25th (Jfus) - The BIG Brazilian Table/O Meso Brasiliano
International Students Association Presents: International Halloween Party Come and enjoy a costume contest and the best of International
ECM (basement), 6-7.30pm - FREE.
Come join us for some talking, eating (Brazilian cheese rolls and Guaraná included!)
and lots of fun!
Oct 26th (Fri) ~ "Welcome to the Jungle" BRASAs Full Party
The Granada, 5pm - $7.00 tickets (@ SUA Office & The Granada)
Come shake your body with the Baskin-Robbins rythm of Dandara and band.
music!
Thursday Oct. 25th 9pm-2am At Club Axis 821 Iowa St.
KU
University of Kansas
Brazilian Student Association
KU ABWA Meeting
Tuesday, October 23rd at 7pm Kansas Union Jayhawk Room (5th floor)
Speaker: Dave Picco from Wells Fargo
The KU American Business Women's Association is always welcoming