I’ve just read an interesting article by Father Frank Mann titled,”Battling the savage beast of depression.” I’ve known Father Mann for many years and for a number of years he served as a priest at St. Anastasia parish in Douglaston and found him very concerned about the pain of others.
In the article, he spoke about visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art for an exhibition of the late artist Alexander McQueen. The artist had hanged himself at the age of 40 on February 10, 2010 due to years of suffering from depression.
Father Mann hit it right on the head when he said,”Depression is an existential tsunami that takes its tumultuous toll and gradually erodes one’s ability to experience meaning and enjoyment in life.” I understand this first hand for I know someone who I know and love very much who has suffered from this insidious disease for many years. She takes medication and has had therapy, but still has these moments of sadness that I wish I could make go away. There were times I could not fully comprehend the amount of physical and emotional pain she was feeling. There are countless of people like this who suffer greatly and some of which are afraid to get help and yet should before it is too late. We all need to be supported and need to show compassion for such as these. Maybe even praying for them might help also. In the end I believe compassion can go a long way in the process to help those who are in a great amount of emotional pain.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
