Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

The Man on the Lawn

There’s a major city street that runs through the middle of the university at which I work, and yesterday evening I was out walking when I saw two of the university’s Public Safety vehicles parked at the curb and several officers talking to a man who I guessed was in his 50’s. He was sitting on the ground near a tree, looking disheveled and downcast.

A few minutes before, he had told several passersby that he was going to throw himself in front of a city bus, and someone called Public Safety, who had in their turn called the city police, who were on their way. I was certain that the police would take him for psychological observation and evaluation.

My first reaction was to contrast this man with the students who were out walking or jogging or throwing frisbees and seemingly enjoying life.

But I know from experience that some of those seemingly carefree students had likely had their own struggles with depression and had thought about ending their lives (maybe still were) but had never told anyone about it and might never do so.

So, maybe the man on the lawn was better off. At least some people knew and would try to help. At least his despair was no secret.