4a
Opinion
Friday, January 26, 2001
Perspective
Mental health stigmas need to be refuted
I don't know Kerry Collins,but I know where he's been. I know what he's been through.
Collins and I both sought treatment at the Meninginger Psychiatric Hospital in Topeka in January of 1999. He entered the Professionals in Crisis-Alcohol Recovery Program and stayed in treatment for two months before moving to New York to sign a contract with the Giants. After being released from the Carolina Panthers because of his emotional and alcohol problems in 1998, the Giants signed him to a four year, multimillion dollar contract. They stipulated that he continue treatment in New York, not that Collins needed any encouraging.
I entered a separate program at Menninger called the Partial Hospitalization Services, which I attended in some form or another for
Collins almost throw away his promising football career while alienating most everyone close to him. My selfish act hurt my family and friends more than I could ever conceive
a year. I never talked to Collins, who starts at quarterback for the NFC-champion football team, but I often ate a lunch mere ten yards from him.
He and I both had family and emotional problems that led us to stupid actions. The former Penn State football star abused alcohol and was arrested for driving under the influence. I purposely overdosed on my psychiatric medication in a pathetic cry for help.
I am "confessing" not because reporters are eavesdropping near my door or to achieve some lame 15 minutes of fame. I am bringing my past to light because I am tired of the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
Ryan Dolan
columnist
opinion@kansan.com
Mental illness adversely affects too many people — roommates, family, loved ones — to hide quietly in shame.
Recent reports on National Public Radio have cited some disturbing statistics. A mid-1990's study at Harvard University stated that 39 percent of college students suffer from a mental disorder in a given year. This includes depression, eating disorders, anxiety, or drug and alcohol abuse.
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One in 10 college students strongly considers committing suicide, according to a recent study by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.
Aside from the personal suffering that mental illness can cause, it also adversely affects the community as a whole. Billions of dollars are lost each year when employees cannot work because of their psychiatric problems. Homelessness, narcotic dependency, and crime largely stem from mental illness.
To address these social problems as well as observing its 50th anniversary, the Bert Nash Mental Health Center is playing host to a community summit this weekend at the Lied Center called "Building a Better Community." The event is free, but tickets are almost gone
Harvard professor Robert Putnam will speak about "The Role of Civic Engagement in Creating Healthy Communities," at 8 tonight. From 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, there will be two more keynote speakers and a panel discussion addressing ways we can take an active part in building a healthy An
active participation Even if you cannot attend the summit this weekend, 1 plan to address the two main subjects of the symposium throughout the semester: the issues surrounding mental illness and how students can get involved in a number of philanthropic causes that benefit people not only locally, but internationally.
It's somewhat painful to deal with the fact that I'm still a 25-year-old junior at my fourth college. Humor is an important therapeutic tool, not only for me, but for loved ones, too. You need some way to broach such a taboo subject...
If there are any issues surrounding mental illness that you would like to see me cover or if you would like to share your own experiences, please e-mail me at stigmafree@yahoo.com.
Remember, if you're thinking of killing yourself, just go see a movie instead. I personally would avoid Keanu Reeves' flicks, however, because the fact that he still gets cast always depresses me.
Dolan is a Lawrence junior in film studies.
TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
TUTION INCREASE
Heard on the Hill
Do students have the necessary experience to serve on the Lawrence City Commission?
"Definitely. I think in a lot of cases, students are better informed on current events." Carolyn Jones Overland Park Junior
"I don't see why not. They represent students, and Lawrence is pretty much catered to students." Linda Xu Chongqing, China senior
"I don't think they do unless they had previous experience or they want to make it a career. I don't think a student's experience would be very beneficial." Stacey Sawyer Andover senior
"No. I don't think they have the experience that's needed." Drew Mayer Wichita senior
Perspective
Beware of 2004 election as Hillary builds resume
Now that Hillary Clinton has seized her icy grip on the state of New York, it's hard to discern public service from hidden agendas.
Clearly, she wants to use the state as a stepping stone to political glory. After all, it happens to be a state with a very large population.
Who could blame her?
She saw an opportunity for greatness and took it.
But what could she be after?
If I wanted to run for president after the most recent election mess, then
The White House?
Supreme Ruler of Planet Earth — or maybe the whole universe?
Shawn Peterson columnist ooinion@kansan.com
Being a senator from New York and a former first lady might do. Someone who can run the country from the Oval Office as well as the bedroom would also be a good candidate.
I surely would hope that I had adequate credentials.
And now that Hillary has become the first First Lady to be elected to political office, it will be difficult to keep the dominoes from
falling.
While she's up on Capitol Hill, media coverage of the Senate could reach an all-time high, thanks to her celebrity. Maybe, while she's at it, she can bring decency back to the Senate by traveling back in time to eliminate the traits of human selfishness and man's desire for power.
I know there are many women out there who disagree with my opinion, but let's be honest here: She can't even add variety to her wardrobe. Heck, even Fidel Castro dresses better than she does. At least he uses a good color — military green — instead of Hillary's usual stale pink and lovely Dead Sea blue.
When we all go to the polls in 2004, vote no on Ms. Pretty-in-Pink. Elizabeth Dole would be a much better candidate, and I'm not even conservative.
Hillary can't be all things to all people, and she knows that. But I bet she'll divorce Bill before she'd let the public know.
But after all, she's not Superwoman.
Depends on whom you ask, I guess.
I guarantee you, she'll run for president in 2004. When (if?) you go to the polls, be sure you vote against her. Save the planet and the whole fate of humankind.
Peterson is a Wichita freshman in English and pre-journalism.
Editorial
Students belong at forum
This weekend's summit is a chance to take an active role in improving Lawrence.
This weekend the Lied Center will play host to the Bert Nash Mental Health Center Community Summit. This is a community-development forum designed to bring together leaders in government, business, law, education and local religious groups and residents of Lawrence and Douglas County.
This is an excellent opportunity for our community to gather to discuss the issues and express concerns people have about the livelihood of the community.
The summit will be from 8 to 9:30 tonight and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow. Speakers and 13 focus groups of local officials and community leaders will discuss the changes that have occurred in Douglas County through the years. People have expressed concerns that the community does not seem to be as tight-knit as in years past.
People don't know their neighbors as well, and citizens of the community interact less. The forum will explore why this is happening and what we can do to become a healthier community.
This summit is a great opportunity for KU students to voice their opinions about this city and get great tips on how to get more involved in the Lawrence community.
KU students constitute a significant portion of the population in Lawrence, and community leaders need to hear our concerns and know that we care about our town.
Not only is this a great educational opportunity for students, but also a great way to show our support for our community.
This summit is a starting point to bring our community back together. The more involvement we have in our hometown, the easier it will be to do so.
Brett Norman for the editorial board
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kanans reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slanderous statements will not be printed. For more comments, go to www.kanans.com.
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Put up the tennis court nets.
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I feel sorry for the trees that had to give their lives so the UDK could do a full page on cracked sidewalks.
Did you know you have to pay $5 for your diploma? Think about that. You worked all this time, you spent all this money and tuition. Then the school has the nerve to ask you for $5. I knew KU was money hungry, but that's just ridiculous.
(Editor's note: The cost is $5 to the diploma mailed in the United States. It costs nothing to pick it up.)
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I would just like to say that KU Info is wonderful. They just told me the University owns 1.058 acres.
I just wanted to say that on my housing survey I filled out non-smoking and I got a smoker. Maybe they do need to look at this survey test.
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Hey, guess what. It really doesn't matter what color you are. You shouldn't really be wearing short sleeves in January. Duh.
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I'd just like to thank Lauren Brandenburg for exposing everyone to the pizza cheese killer and the woes of Momma Cat. The guy who killed Momma Cat's a really sick man, and he should be exposed further. And the trial should be covered.
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On the subject of abortion, shouldn't the man have some voice in the matter? I mean, he has to pay child support. Shouldn't he be involved in the decision for an abortion?
For Katie Laird to compare rape to abortion and to say that abortion is worse than rape is just an ignorant statement. There is one significant difference: When you have an abortion, whether you agree with it, no matter what you opinion of abortion is, you have a choice. You make a conscious decision. When you are raped, you have no choice.
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