Author talks about his depression

Special to The Hays Daily News

Six years ago, Paul E. Jones walked away from a decision to take his own life. After overcoming that experience and living with severe manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, he is "fighting stigma one mind at a time."

Jones is now an author and comedic speaker who travels the country telling his story and moving audiences with "From Depressed to Refreshed in 60 Minutes." He is scheduled to present at 7 p.m. Monday in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University.

"Paul Jones is the best speaker I have ever heard, an audience member from one of his shows in Virginia said. "His ability to teach people about what it is like to live with a mental illness is unreal."

Jones said that his shows are not for the easily offended, because he cannot predict the words that will spill out of his mouth. He sometimes finds humor in unexpected places.

He asks if it's "a crime to find some kind of humor in the world" and said it's the only way he's been able to deal with some things and is better than the reality his life was before being diagnosed.

Another point he addresses is how people can hide from a brain illness because its not the "politically correct" illness to have. One in four Americans have some form of a diagnosable mental illness and it shouldn't go overlooked any longer.

"It is my hope and my mission to try and prevent these young people from wasting the amount of time that I did hiding from a brain illness," Jones said. "Folks think no one wants to talk about serious issues, but they come out in droves."

Admission is free.