James T. R. Jones, professor of law at the University of Louisville, spoke out against the stigma of mental disorders and told students his own story of attempted suicide, deep depression and ultimate triumph.

Invited by the Psi Chi and Psychology Club, students gathered in the Hoosier Room to hear Jones speak about his life with bipolar disorder.

Sunnye Bush-Sawtelle, psychology and Spanish junior, is the president of Psi Chi and was excited to have Jones back.

“He’s been here two times before when I was president,” Bush-Sawtelle said. “He’s such a wonderful example of success despite a mental disorder.”

Jones stood before a full room of students and told them about the rollercoaster of bipolar depression he has been riding his whole life.

“Over the last few years, I’ve decided it’s important to brave my fear of stigma and discuss being a tenured professor of law who teeters on the tightrope of bipolar disorder,” Jones said.

Jones said those with mental illnesses are now the most stigmatized group in modern society. “Most do not use the racial and ethnic slurs that were so common, but ridicule of those with mental illnesses still endures,” he said.

Jones was a National Merit finalist in high school and went on to study at the University of Virginia, where he graduated with the highest distinction.

After his undergraduate career, Jones attended Duke University School of Law.

When Jones graduated, he had a hard time finding a law firm that would take him.

Finally, he found a place at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.

“The curtain of depression at this point closed around me,” Jones said.  “In my third year, I interviewed frantically. I really didn’t want the impersonal life of New York City, but no one else would touch me. I couldn’t really understand why I came across so poorly.”

Jones suspects the low success rate in his interviews was due to his anxious, depressed and moody nature — early manifestations of his bipolar disorder.

“Due to my deepening depression, I decided I was unlikely to live past the age of 30 due to the probability of suicide,” he said.

In the spring of 1983, Jones attempted suicide for the first time and was admitted to the psychiatric unit of a local hospital.

In the hospital, Jones said he became fixated on suicide. He slept less and less, spent his time listening to symphonies in his head and fantasizing about Shakespeare’s Hamlet — who he thought made a good argument for suicide in his monologue.

Finally, Jones was sent to North Carolina’s Highland Hospital to finish recovery and treatment.

By 1986, Jones came to Louisville and took a teaching position in Brandies School of Law at the University of Louisville.

Jones did not disclose his medical history or mental disabilities to his co-workers, afraid that he would be discriminated against.

In 1988, Jones married a physician named Jane.  They had two daughters — Jennifer and Shirley.

At this point in his life, Jones’ mental health was well under control, and he never missed a class.

In 1994, however, divorce sent him back into depression.

During that time, Jones claimed his dachshund, Nutmeg, was the only companion he had who gave him strength.

Jones re-married Kathleen Ann Murphy, an attorney. Jones said Murphy helped him through more turbulent times, and this year they celebrated their 13th anniversary.

Jones has had several recurrences of severe depression and hospitalization since he re-married, especially upon the death of several friends, including his beloved Nutmeg.

After Elyn Saks published her memoir about her schizophrenic illness,  Jones was inspired to stop hiding his struggles and published the article, “Walking the Tightrope of Bipolar Disorder: the Secret Life of a Law Professor.”

Since Jones went public, he and Saks have become good friends, and Jones now leads an anonymous support group for those with mental illnesses.

“No one better knows the path a person with mental illness must tread than those who walk it themselves,” Jones said.

Jones said he is passionate about showing the world that those with mental disorders can still lead successful lives.

He said he enjoys his life with his wife and two new dachshunds — named Melanie and Scarlett.

“Still, I soldier on,” Jones said. “I have no other choice but disability or suicide. I’ve tried both and neither option is good.”

By MICHELE HOP

Staff

mhop@ius.edu