Everyone experiences loss and grief, but it may be easy to overlook what affect those experiences have on our mental health.
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has created a series of videos, titled, Mental Health & Orthodox Christianity to help people navigate difficult issues during these complicated times. The episodes feature experts from within the Orthodox Church.
The third episode features St. Vladimir’s Seminary assistant professor Very Rev. Nicholas Solak along with Casey Clardy, Ph.D.
“Everything bears meaning: meaning about our life and God and the world and ourselves…and resident within all that is opportunity,” Fr. Nicholas said as the discussion began.
Watch the entire interview with Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Clardy below.
Father Nicholas is a graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary; first in 2002 with an M.Div. degree and again in 2008 with a D.Min. Degree. He was ordained to the priesthood in February 2002. Prior to attending St. Vladimir's Seminary, Fr. Nicholas worked for ten years in prisons delivering cognitive-behavioral treatment to criminal offenders with drug and alcohol addiction histories. He also has experience working with the 12-Step Program in treating drug and alcohol addicts. Since 2002, he has been the parish priest at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Stroudsburg, PA, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is also chair of the Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life.
