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Show NEWS A2 Student speaks out on mental illness By Tiara Maio News Writer CALENDER OF EVENTS Monday, April 11 -Arcade Fire Concert, UCCU Center, 6 -10 p.m. -Mental Health Symposium Focus on Autism, Grande Ballroom, 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 -My Word: Touchstones Spring Launch Event, SC 206 A&B, 6-8 p.m. -UVU Baseball vs. University of Utah, Brent Brown Students and staff overflowed the library auditorium to attend The Awareness of Mental Illness symposium, led by Dr. Fullmer's English 276R Heavy Metal class. UVU student Will Sears was the big attention grabber for the audience. "I was 21 years old and ready to go on a mission," Sears said. "I was 6 weeks into the MTC when I had a psychotic breakdown. I started hallucinating visually, losing weight, unable to sleep — I was in a really bad place." "I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective," Sears said. Further explaining that schizoaffective is kind of schizophrenia and major depression combined. As Sears courageously exposed the past 12 years of his everyday life experiences and struggles, the audience —intrigued and some able to relate —engaged with Sears through questions of curiosity and support. "What would happen every night, about 3:00 a.m. these demons and spirits or whatever would come through the floor, come at me and almost attack me," Sears said. "I thought okay, [the MTC] is a religious place maybe this is a religious experience." After four days of hallucinating, the spirits got so close that Sears ran out of the room. He was immediately medicated and sent home by the MTC psychiatrist for the sudden onsets of psychosis. The required medications cost thousands of dollars and Sears had to use his student loans to buy medications instead of using it for books and tuition. According to Sears, the thing that people don't understand is that medication can help and it does a good job, but it's not a cure-all by any means. When Sears was first diagnosed, there were not the patient assistant programs that are available now. But, "being on the meds is the only way I make it through the day and the only way I can make it through school," Sears acknowledged. "With the schizophrenia and schizoaffective, I do have daily voices," Sears said. He explained that the daily voices are usually two to three males talking, doing whatever they do "and it's just irritating," but when he hears female voices, "that means I'm going into a psychotic episode — those are the ones that tell me to walk in front of a bus; you're a loser. Just shoot yourself." When the female voices come in, Sears will hospitalize himself, "because those are dangerous." Sears struggles daily with hearing voices and it's hard to relate to others. However, after three to four years working with a therapist to learn how to interact with people again, after what he calls his "suicide/hospital years" — which took place after his return from the LDS mission and split from now ex-wife — Sears has been able to come back to school. "The Heavy Metal class has been awesome," Sears said. "The one thing that I do to deal with the voices is I listen to hard core heavy music. I can drown them out." Now, at age 33, Sears is going to school for social work, hoping to do patient advocacy in long term hospitals, like state hospitals, and work in that field. "These 12 years have been figuring out the meds, figuring out psychology," Sears said. With a lot of research on schizoaffective and schizophrenia, Sears seeks information "just to understand what's going on in my brain. I keep myself extremely educated on it," Sears said. "Most of the time it's been pretty hellish." Ballpark, 6-9 p.m. -NY Times columnist Ross Douthat, SC 206 A&B 11:30 a.m. -Gear-Up Day, Courtyard or LI 120, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. -Wasatch Mental Health On-Campus Interviews, LC 409, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. -Tutor Recognition Ceremony, LI 120, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 - Fall Registration for new students -Buffalo dinner, UCCU Presidential South, 3-8 p.m. -Bocce Ball tournament, Outdoor Courtyard, Noon5 p.m. Thursday, April 14 -Dean's Award Reception, UCCU Presidential South, 6-8 p.m. -Short Attention Theatre running through April 16, Noorda Theatre, 7-11 p.m. -University College Faculty and Staff Excellence, SC 206a, 1-4 p.m. Friday, April 15 -Equity Pedagogy in the Classroom, LC 243, Noon- Police Beat By Lex Bourgeous News Writer March 29, 2011: 7:16 a.m. – An adult female reported that her friend was being harassed by a parking attendant. 10:41 a.m. – Officers responded to a report of a female who had fallen in the stairwell of the LA building. 12:32 p.m. - An officer was called to the administration building on an individual who was possibly causing problems. No incident occurred, no action taken. 3:46 p.m. – An officer met with a female complainant who is reporting that her 2005 Lexus SUV had been stolen. A report was taken. March 30, 2011: 12:20 p.m. – A male student came to the police office to report his iPad stolen. The iPad was turned in to the police office while the student was making the report. The iPad was returned to him. 4:54 p.m. – An officer received a call of a person being disorderly in parking services. The individual was cited for failure to identify himself to a police officer. April 1,2011: 2:06 p.m. – An officer respond- 1 p.m. -Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humani- Achievements continued ties: Ragan Theater, 2- 3:45 p.m. -Free movie night with UVU's Rotaract Club, SC 213b, 7- 9:30 p.m. -Devotional: Latter-Day Celebration Choir, Institute building, Noon- 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16 -Easter Egg Hunt, Student Center, 8 a.m. - Noon -Showdown, UCCU Center Arena, 6- 9 p.m. people picking up trash on the side of the road with a sign saying 'Look at me, I'm doing service,'" Brown said. Several other students were honored for their dedication to UVU and their efforts in engaged learning. Winners included Kayli Doxey for Female Athlete of the Year, Flint Ray for Male Athlete of the Year, Eric Madsen for the Wolverine Spirit Award and Kristopher Lange for Student of the Year. Along with students, staff and faculty were also recognized. Doug Warner received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his time and ed to a medical call in the library. An adult white female was found unconscious. The female regained consciousness and emergency medical personnel transported her to the hospital. 11:45 p.m. – An officer stopped a vehicle for several traffic violations and discovered that both occupants of the vehicle had warrants for their arrest. The officer arrested them both and transported them to Utah County Jail. 7:54 p.m. – An officer was dispatched to an intoxicated male. The officer made contact with the male and had to respond to another urgent call and released the suspect. 8:30 p.m. – An officer was informed of a robbery in progress in the Losee Center. Orem police were also responding. Dispatch advised that it was actually in the business building The officer responded and met with the victim while Orem police searched for the suspect. April 2, 2011: 10:13 a.m. – An individual was witnessed urinating in public. The individual was cited and released. April 6,2011: There have been at least five vehicle burglaries on campus in the last week. The vehicles had their windows smashed and valuables taken from inside the vehicles. Students need to make sure to not leave valuables in their vehicle and take every measure to protect their belongings. April 4, 2011: 12:51 p.m. – An officer responded to the business building on a reported burglary. The officer found that a burglary had occurred. dedication to the future of UVU. Known for his economic planning in regard to the UVU budget, Warner contributed to the financial successes of the University. "UVU is a wonderful place with fantastic administration, faculty, staff and students," Warner said while accepting his award. Warner was joined by honorees Karen Tebbs, Friend of UVU, Maureen Andrade for Commitment to Excellence, Jon Westover for Fulltime faculty of the year, Dr. Alan Erickson for Adjunct Faculty of the Year, Kim Barraclough for Staff Excellence Award and Vegor Pedersen for Advisor of the Year. Among all the on-campus clubs and organizations, two took home awards for providing students with engaging opportunities and helping them to succeed in and out of the classroom. UVU PRSSA won Club of the Year and Prospective Student Services won Organization of the Year. Though only one award was given per category, all nominees were worthy and candidates and were recognized and honored with plaques at the end of the evening. 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