I was just on Facebook and I saw a post about a priest in a diocese down south. He was middle aged, had a recent history of anxiety and depression, and took his life. Some people are expressing shock. How can a priest take his own life? Doesn’t he, a priest, know better?
It doesn’t work that way, folks. When a person is overwhelmed, in the pits of despair, incredibly anxious or depressed, suicide just might feel like a viable option. At times like that, the people who survive suicide attempts almost always admit that they were not thinking about loved ones, good times, or anything positive. They felt, instead, as if they were in a dark hole going nowhere.
Suicide affects all people and anyone — rich, poor, religious, young, old, sick, in good health — ANYONE can feel as if suicide is his or her only option.
If you are one of those people, please consider making a call to ask for help. There is a national network of those who are available to take your call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The person who answers the line might just be able to help you back on your feet once again.
