ELECTROBOY: What's your best advice to someone in a suicide crisis?
PAUL JONES: First, I’m not a medical professional nor do I play a doctor on TV. But my best advice to anyone who is suffering this badly is to please take a few days and read as much as you can about depression, manic depression and suicide - - there are so many correlations. I suggest reading books such as "Electroboy" and yes even "Dear World: A Suicide Letter," my own book.
ELECTROBOY: I recommend "Dear World: A Suicide Letter" to people who write to me all the time who are in crisis - - or even just depressed.
PAUL JONES: You should read books that are written by people who actually suffer from the illness. Books by doctors are fine, I suppose, but I will say this: I have not found one yet that has helped me. These doctors who do not have the illness are writing about their opinions and not their own experiences. I know first hand as I am sure you do, talking with and reading about people who have made it through these roadblocks is the best way to go. But talk with people who are living with the illness and managing to function. The others will "bring you down." You can get better, you can lead a normal life, you can survive, you can be a parent, you can be an employee, you can be a person. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Get help, get better, stay on top of the illness and most importantly, Andy, is to have faith. Not only faith in God, but also faith in yourself.
ELECTROBOY: Thanks so much Paul for your time and for writing "Dear World," which really should be required reading.
PAUL JONES: Thanks Andy. You are an inspiration to all of us who suffer with mental illness.
Paul Jones is the author of "Dear World: A Suicide Letter" and battles depression and manic depression daily. He is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian, having performed most recently for military families at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Paul travels the world speaking to students, businesses and organizations. You can order his book at www.bipolarbooks.com or learn more about his speaking engagements at www.speakingoflife.com.
Andy Behrman is the author of "Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania," published by Random House. He maintains a website, speaks across the country and is working on the sequel to "Electroboy," which is being made into a major motion picture starring Tobey Maguire. You can visit Andy at www.electroboy.com
