10 Tips to Prevent Depression - Q and A about Suicide and the Church - SHARE


1. LOVE GOD. Offer up all sufferings to Him. Rely on Him for this strength. Remember you are safe in His care. God to Church Regulary (Daily or Weekly)
2. GO TO CONFESSION regularly. This Sacrament was instituted by Jesus in the Bible. Unconfessed sin can often lead to depression. (Weekly or Monthly)
3. PRAY every single day. JESUS is your BEST friend. Someone you talk to every hour, every moment - as often as you can. Tell Him about your sufferings, joys, fears and sins. Also PRAY specific Prayers like the Rosary, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and other Prayers.
4. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS and Stop thinking negatively. Remember those less fortunate than us, either spiritually or financially. Try not compare your life to others. Be Happy with what God has given you in your life. Good and Bad. Things can always be worse.
5. SLEEP WELL...Lack of sleep can lead to toxins and the mind cannot cope with lack of sleep. Nap periodically through the day.
6. FOOD plays a very large part on what we feel like. Eat lighter meals, and avoid foods that can lead to depression. Most importantly cut out junk food.
7. EXERCISE. Regular walks can help the body cleanse toxins that can lead to depression.
8. Start a HOBBY and or do things to keep busy.   For instance learning music can release anti-depressant chemicals in the brain and combat Depression. (Join your Church Choir)
10. KNOW THAT ALL THINGS PASS. This is hard to remember when we are struggling. But try to remember the last time you were happy. Remind yourself that happy days will come again and that Heaven is Eternal Happiness...
Keep contact with family and friends as well.  Family can sometimes become the reason for our depression instead of support. If this is the situation, find good friends you can trust, and that will support you. 
There are times that depression can be serious and does need to be treated. If you have a chemical reason for your depression these tips will help as you as you treat it. You might need to seek counsel or medical treatment.
Above all maintain an ordered life, – try not to sin, go to confession, go to Church and Pray this will help prevent Depression.
Questions and Answers - What does the Catholic Church Teach?
What is Suicide?
Suicide is a mortal sin
To kill oneself is a violation of the fifth commandment.  It is a mortal sin.  “Thou shall not kill.”  The Catholic Church teaches that is a mortal sin to kill.  The Catholic Church stands in defense of life from the moment of conception to the time of natural death.

What is the Catholic Church's position on suicide? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church1: Suicide
 2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.
 2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.
2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law. Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.
 2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.
What does the Catholic Church teach about Purgatory?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.604 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.605
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.606
SPECIAL PRAYERS
Prayer against Depression - by Saint Ignatius of Loyola 
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. By Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Prayer for People Who Have Committed Suicide

Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we understand that Thy sixth commandment, "Thou shalt do no murder," includes self murder. But in Thy divine mercy, we beg Thy forgiveness especially for (name), who have been so confounded by the pressures of this life that they felt there was no way they could continue. Grant, we beseech Thee, that they be forgiven their terrible sin and accepted into Thy divine providence, and that they may come to understand Thy ways and Thy nature. We ask this in Jesus Christ's name.
Amen.


Prayer for Deliverance

My Lord, You are all powerful, You are God, You are Father. We beg You through the intercession and help of the archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel, for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who are enslaved by the evil one. All saints of heaven, come to our aid.

From anxiety, sadness, and obsessions, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From hatred, fornication, and envy, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From thoughts of jealousy, rage, and death, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From every thought of suicide and abortion, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From every form of sinful sexuality, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From every division in our family, and every harmful friendship, we beg You: Free us, O Lord. From every sort of spell, malefice, witchcraft, and every form of the occult, we beg You: Free us, O Lord.

Lord, You Who said: "I leave You peace, My Peace I give You," grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every evil spell and enjoy Your peace always. In the Name of Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

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