Housing Assistant Ronald Manning Writes and Fights Depression

Since childhood, Housing Assistant Ronald Manning has written blogs, notebooks, and journals to express whatever was on his mind. But in 2015, when a close relative was fighting breast cancer, his writing took on a new urgency.

“I was having a hard time coping,” said Mr. Manning, who has fought anxiety and depression since childhood.

When a friend who was a professional boxer offered to train him, Mr. Manning thought maybe it would help.

Already at work on a book about depression (titled Fighting Through My Writing), Mr. Manning hoped time in the ring might be therapeutic. As the book progressed, the bout with depression turned into a 12-round poem cycle where the author confronted aspects of himself “in silhouette.”

“I felt pushed against the ropes while having negative flashbacks that blinded me,” he recounted.

Finally, in the later rounds, Mr. Manning realized that what he needed to prevail was patience and to not fight just with his emotions.

“I finally knocked the silhouette down and then realized it was me.”

As Mr. Manning began to believe in himself, he gained in maturity. Through this inner struggle, he also gained a confidence that increased with his proficiency as a boxer.

“I want people to know to never give up on yourself or blame yourself for things that you can’t control. This applies also to the people you love,” he asserted.

Expressed in his poetic work, this message has reached many readers who have commented on Mr. Manning’s blog about how the book has changed their perspective on life.

Read more about Fighting Through My Writing, along with readers’ responses and how to purchase the book, at www.fightingthroughmywriting.com. Samples of Mr. Manning’s writing are found on his blog at: http://ronthewriter.tumblr.com.

The NYC Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential assistance to employees suffering from depression and other problems. NYC/EAP can be reached at 212-306-7760.