The sixth event of the School of Compassion, a joint series of meetings between the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service and the Tabor Cultural Center, took place. The meeting was held by Vasily Rulinsky, the press secretary of the Synodal Department for Charity. The guest was a psychiatrist, Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky, rector of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker at the Straw Lodge in Moscow. At the meeting, they discussed how to support a depressed person.
During the meeting, Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky spoke about the types of depression, as well as the spiritual causes of the prevalence of this disease in the modern world.
"There was no such amount of depression as there is now in ancient times. The topic is becoming more and more relevant because the apostasy from God is increasing exponentially," said Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky. He noted that with depression, a person suffering from it loses the meaning of life and experiences mental pain.
Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky shared his experience and gave advice on how to get out of depression and how to support a person in such a state.
Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky paid special attention to how to overcome sadness as the initial stage of depression, as well as such a serious condition as despondency. "When a person is in sorrow, it is important to accept at least one humble thought. This is the best antidepressant — a humble thought. It can be different, everyone has their own, but it is always powerful, always effective and always our helper. Because this is followed by God's gracious help," said the priest.
The struggle against despondency, as noted by Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky, lasts a long time, and you need to be patient. If a person carries his gloomy state without grumbling, then, as the holy fathers say, he has many crowns from God.
"Sometimes the Lord allows such a state of darkness, great despondency, in order for a person in such a state to seek the high, the spiritual, to seek God. If we carry the cross without grumbling, consciously accept our infirmity, then infirmity becomes a step towards Christ. And this is the way of healing," said Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky.
For those who are discouraged, the priest recalled the advice of St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov: to repeat the words "I accept what is worthy of my sins" and "Thank God for everything."
At the end of the meeting, Archpriest Vladimir Novitsky answered questions from the participants of the event.
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The School of Compassion is a joint project of the Synodal Department of Charity and the Tabor Cultural Center. Monthly meetings with experienced clergy and specialists are held as part of the cycle.: they share tips and practical recommendations on how to overcome a life crisis, how to support a seriously ill or dying person, how to find words for someone who has recently experienced the loss of a loved one, how to find a common language with a difficult teenager, how to find a way out of depression, how to help a relative who has addiction.