(Posted November 3, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Comedian and author Paul Jones, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his late 30s, will give a talk at Juniata College about bipolar disorder and other mental health issues at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center on the Juniata campus.

The talk is free and open to the public. The presentation is sponsored by the student club Juniata Active Minds, a chapter of the advocacy organization Active Minds Inc., which raises awareness of mental health issues on campuses nationwide.

"We are bringing Paul to campus because we want to show students that it is possible to have a mental disorder and still have a successful career and happy life,. We hope that Paul humorous approach will open up a discussion here on campus."

Alison Tyler, senior, Lake Orion, Mich.

"We are bringing Paul to campus because we want to show students that it is possible to have a mental disorder and still have a successful career and happy life," says Alison Tyler, a senior from Lake Orion, Mich. and a member of Active Minds. "We hope that Paul humorous approach will open up a discussion here on campus."

Paul Jones has been a stand-up comedian for nearly 20 years. The performer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 36 and changed his performing focus to motivational speaking and mental health education.

Jones is the author of "Dear World: A Suicide Letter," "The Up and Down Life" and also has recorded the CD "Five Keys to Living with Bipolar Illness." Billing himself as "Bipolar Boy," Jones has a Web site, bipolarboy.com, that features his publications and information on bipolar illness.








Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.