Many people may be shocked to learn that one in four college students faces mental health issues and that suicide is the third leading cause of death among high school students.

Ross Szabo, director of youth outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign, presented these disturbing facts Oct. 17 in Willard Straight Hall at Cornell in a talk, "What Happy Faces Are Hiding: Talking About Depression," sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Cornell Minds Matter, Cornell's only student-run mental-health awareness and advocacy organization. One of the talk's primary purposes was to encourage students to communicate openly about their emotions and to focus more on their mental wellness.

Szabo, co-author of "Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health -- A Guide for Young Adults," has spoken to more than 500,000 people in the last five years. Diagnosed at age 16 with bipolar disorder, he used his own life experience to discuss depression and suicide. He recounted how in the past he attempted suicide, experienced manic episodes and was forced to leave college because of a relapse of his condition. After struggling for many years and receiving treatment, Szabo eventually returned to college and graduated with honors in psychology.

He said he hopes his success story will encourage others to re-evaluate the negative stereotypes associated with mental illness.

"Eighty to 90 percent of people with mental disorders who seek help can get back to living a normal life," Szabo said.

Much of his talk focused on correlating substance abuse with mental health issues. It is no coincidence, Szabo said, that 77 percent of college students report feeling overwhelmed, while 44 percent also admit to frequent binge drinking.

"Don't use alcohol as a form of expression," Szabo told the audience, describing how, after the first three weeks of college, he had to have his stomach pumped. "I used to have 20- to 30-hour alcohol-induced comas from binge drinking," Szabo said.

Szabo also stressed the importance of individuality and openness.

"On some levels, nobody's normal," he said. "Embrace what makes you different."

Szabo said he wants students to feel comfortable talking about their problems, without fear of embarrassment, so they can find the strength to seek help.

"It's time for young people to stop losing to these stereotypes," Szabo said, "and to start winning the campaign for a sound mind."

Julia Langer '08 is a writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.