WELCOME 2009 - Lets join in the fight against depression (by Sylph)

Its a new year and I am in a new country, so its most certainly a time for new beginnings, however as I venture along the path of new adventures, I cannot help but reflect on some of the old ones that I have endeavoured on. Adventures that would remain with me for a lifetime and some that will soon be forgotten. One such adventure was the year I wondered into St. Benedict's to pursue A-Levels.... I must say that was certainly an ADVENTURE, and one that would live on with me throughout the years. Because something about that place was like no other and the bonds and friendships that were created, was cemented into our being. "Oh blessed by God St. Benedict, let sadness not our hearts afflict". Any true Benedict's boy will know the rest or at least the last verse.

At that institution I learnt the meaning of true friendship. We stood by each other through thick and thin. Opening up our lives, our homes, our families, our hearts to the ones we truly considered. When one went down, we all went down. Oh, at least so we thought, until that one bleak Friday morning, when depression came knocking and no one was around to talk our fallen solider down. To lend him that love and support that we had built up among us and provided him with the comfort and hope that his heart desired. On that day, sadness afflicted his heart and one can only assume that his heart could not bear anymore, so he allowed depression to take him away.

Memories of that day run vividly through my mind from time to time, but I have found more so now. Maybe because I am away from home and have the time to pay closer attention to persons in my life and have come to realise that a number of these persons struggle with this thing called depression. Depression to some might just be a sad feeling that comes over them from time to time, however to others its their way of life. Its their reality, their struggle, their everyday state of mind. It is the only way they know and sadly on the rare occasion that they may feel happiness or joy, they often think that something might be wrong, because that is a state that they cannot relate to. I am certain all of us might have had a family member or friend who struggle with this thing we call depression. Unfortunately so many of them go unnoticed and unnoticed until the very end. No one knew my friend suffered from depression, he was the life of the party. He was the instigator of most activities, the backbone of the crew. The one most people went to in their times of trouble, however he reached out to no one in his time of need.

Today, just like that gloomy Friday, I struggle.... I struggle to truly understand this thing called depression and to identify a way to truly lend support to persons who suffer from this affliction. Because depression is real and has been silently afflicting the hearts of many. It has been afflicting the hearts of our loved ones, and family members, and friends, and co-workers, and church members, and neighbours, and journalists, and politicians, and teachers, and nephews, and nieces..... It has been afflicting and afflicting and afflicting..... And so many times this affliction goes unnoticed, until it is too late.

This year, I would like to join in the fight against depression and pay closer attention to those afflicted. Because I remember the emptiness that was felt on that Friday and the void that was left. We were all there wondering why didn't he reach out and provided us with an opportunity to share in his affliction and uplift his heart. It was not meant to be..... But today, there are thousands of persons fighting the good fight and struggling to shake off this affliction. So I call on you to lend a hand and help in this fight, because trust me when I say, the battle is on. As I write to you, I think of my loved ones who are fighting the good fight and I pray for the sustenance to provide them with the support they require. For I was once deprived of the opportunity to provide that support, however, not even the distance will deprive me such an opportunity again.

Let our hearts not be afflicted by the sadness of this world and may we fight this thing called depression, because it is a reality that is silently attacking many of our loved ones.

Nihil Omnino Christo - lets place 'Christ Above All' in this battle

May your soul forever rest in peace my fallen solider. Your memories will live on forever....