14
QUEENS WEEKLY,OCTOBER 13, 2019
Queens author addresses mental health issues in new novel
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
Seems a lot of guys are feeling
lost these days.
Most women today are feeling
happier and becoming even
more empowered. But troubling
evidence is emerging which suggests
that more than ever before,
younger men have been struggling
with low self-esteem, depression,
loneliness, and in some
cases, opioid addiction. Sadly,
male suicide rates have increased
nationwide, according to reports.
Queens native Thomas Duffy
has tapped into this modern-day
crisis with his seventh fiction
novel – just released on Amazon
– titled “Social Work.” He has
written about a wide range of topics,
including romance and existentialism,
and even working in
retail.
“A little over two years ago,
I lost a friend to suicide,” Duffy
recalled. “I never knew he was
suffering from depression so intensely
and having dealt with
depression myself, I felt if I had
known that, I could have tried to
help him.”
The author, who was raised in
Woodhaven and currently lives
in Glen Oaks, felt that he needed
to tell a story that addressed the
complex issues surrounding suicide
– through the eyes of a young
man who is trying to deal with
his mental health issues.
“I wanted to show that it is
possible to overcome mental illness
through treatment. There
are parts of the main character
Marc that parallel certain situations
I’ve found myself in,” he
explained.
When you read “Social Work,”
you’ll understand why the special
bond between Marc and his social
worker Lauren, is so strong.
“At first, they don’t like each
other much, but as the story
progresses, they tend to sort of
cherish their sessions together,”
Duffy said. “For Marc, because
he gets to talk about his problems,
and for Lauren, because
she gets to help him with advice.
I feel the reader can relate
to both characters, which is so
very important.”
Comparing this story to the
film “Silver Linings Playbook,”
he explains that hope is the central
theme of his book.
The author’s other novels on
Amazon include: “Stockboy,”
“Off the Line,” “One Love,”
“Heartbreaker,” and “To Never
Know.”
He recently talked about
“Social Work” and his previous
novel, “The Separation” (his
“most daring book yet”), on a
show called “Between the Covers
- Celebrating Books,” which
was aired live before a studio
audience on Strong Island Television
from Paradise Studios on
Long Island.
So, what is the common theme
connecting all seven stories?
“Trying to find purpose
and meaning in life; I think all
the books convey this idea,”
Duffy said.
In fact, most have some elements
of his life woven throughout
.D
uffy, who says he enjoys
bouncing around different
Queens neighborhoods, graduated
from PS 66 in Richmond
Hill (where he earned a Creative
Writing award), JHS 210 (Ozone
Park), and Christ the King HS
(Middle Village). He got his BA
from Pace University.
In his spare time, the author
reviews movies on social
media, and credits his parents
(both huge film buffs) for instilling
in him his love for the
silver screen. He said he has
interviewed several celebrities,
including Minnie Driver and
Richard Dreyfuss.
After reading “Social Work,”
folks should come away with a
better understanding of the challenges
that people struggling
with mental issues face, because
those who suffer are oftentimes,
our family members, friends and
neighbors, Duffy said.
“If anything, I hope this book
helps fight the stigma associated
with mentally illness.”
“Social Work” is Thomas Duffy’s seventh book. Set in New York City, it’s a
moving story about the special bond between a troubled young man named
Marc and his social worker Lauren, after his suicide attempt.
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