Speaker uses humor to address alcohol abuse

By Chris Reilly

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 04/01/2008

Zach Kane | Staff Photographer

Ross Szabo speaks about mental health issues at the Grand Prix alcohol presentation. Almost 5,000 students came to hear Szabo talk about alternative ways of celebrating Grand Prix week.

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A speaker addressed substance abuse and mental health issues Monday night in Elliott Hall at the annual Grand Prix Convocation.

Ross Szabo focused on college students abusing alcohol as a means to deal with issues of mental health. Instead of talking about mental disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder and trying to scare the audience, Szabo stressed dealing with day to day issues such as lack of sleep, breakups and anxiety without alcohol.

"A lot of college kids go through these things" said Jason Best, a junior in the School of Mechanical Engineering. "(Szabo) offered solutions to a lot of these problems."

But Joe Buckley, a senior in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, thought Szabo exaggerated the number of students with alcohol abuse problems.

"These issues affect some people, but some are drinking just to have a good time," he said.

However, Buckley agreed that these are serious issues that need to be addressed.

Szabo addressed these issues by cracking jokes and impersonating famous comedians like Dave Chappelle. He followed up by sharing his experience with alcohol abuse and bipolar disorder and urged the audience to answer questions like why people drink. Despite comical answers like "to dance better" and "to time travel," Szabo kept things moving.

Buckley thought he did a good job keeping the mood light.

"I thought he was funny, which is good because these are some serious issues," he said.