Patrick Franzen

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          Born in Tucson and raised in the West Valley of Phoenix, Patrick grew up in a relatively sheltered middle class upbringing. It wasn't until senior year of high school, when his 3-year relationship with his high school sweetheart ended with a public exposure of her affair with her English teacher, that Patrick entered his first major depressive episode. After receiving the Presidential Merit Scholarship to ASU, Patrick medically withdrew for mental health concerns before completing his first semester of college. 

         Patrick visited a psychiatrist for the first time and was prescribed anti-depressants. Having a predisposition for bipolar the SSRI medication triggered a manic episode and after some adventure, emotional turmoil for relatives, a felony charge, and ultimately involuntary hospitalization, Patrick was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar-Disorder.

        Being his first criminal charge, it was plead down to a misdemeanor, and Patrick explored various jobs in customer service and sales. He really found a passion for talking with new people and getting to know their situations while attempting to help as much as he could. One of Patrick's most recent positions included getting his Peer Support Certificate and working on a warmline.