There are many prejudices against people suffering from mental disorders. Depression is one of them. It is an illness that requires medical treatment and has no cure. A depressed person has periods of ups and downs in their daily life. Ideally, treatment should be carried out in a multidisciplinary way. Therapy with a psychologist, follow-up with a psychiatrist - because there are cases of medication - regular physical activity, a healthy diet and a generous support network. However, not everyone has all this access. Sometimes the person has financial means, health insurance, but the family context does not help. There are cases where the person is an adult and the depression can be disabling, causing time off work and leaving them unable to afford adequate treatment.

How can the Spiritism comfort a person with depression?

Firstly, it is important to mention that going to a Spiritist Centre just to understand why one is depressed can lead to frustration. In a situation where we are suffering - and that pain is in the soul - the balm is different. Perhaps that is why people seek out a Spiritist Centre. However, Spiritist Doctrine seeks to remove the veil of victimhood and the externalisation of guilt. The misfortunes of life are not eternal penances. When we look at depression with a look of mercy, we see it as a desert that runs through our soul. And who wants to contemplate the emptiness? Who wants to see the faint reflection of the soul? Sometimes, metaphorically, we need to make depression an afternoon coffee, pull out a chair for it to sit in, bake a cake, set the table with our best tablecloth and chat.

La doctrina espírita no fomenta la huida ni glorifica el problema. ¿Cuál es el camino del medio? El autoconocimiento a través de la reforma íntima. Si no puede hacerlo solo, el Centro Espírita puede serle de gran ayuda. De hecho, un Centro Espírita ofrece tratamiento espiritual. Pero antes, una conversación fraterna y asesoramiento con el fin de disciplinar su asistencia para asistir a las conferencias y recibir el beneficio del pase. Se recomienda el estudio en grupo de las obras espiritistas. La literatura espírita es vasta, con obras que tratan de la depresión. Sin embargo, está claro que es necesario un movimiento. Buscar la mejora. El papel del Espiritismo no es señalar culpables o inocentes, víctimas o verdugos. No hay lugar para juicios. «Proponer una cura, o al menos ponerse a disposición del progreso, es también descubrirse de nuevo, conocer y desvelar territorios aún desconocidos dentro de uno mismo.

What to do in times of relapse, when depression seems stronger than the will to fight?

Prayer is recommended. Prayer is the soul's help to Heaven. The human being has within him an invisible network that connects him with the Creator. This communication is free and direct. And if you still do not feel worthy, you can turn to the Good Spirits to intercede for you. No one is left without support.

The Spiritism Readings are enlightening. The author Rossano Sobrinho, in his book The Prisoner of Darkness, addresses this very subject. In a simple way, he shows us that, unhappily, when we allow the Spirit to be dominated by the body, it is downhill, but if we allow the body to be commanded by the Spirit, we will realign the path to self-illumination.

Depression is difficult to deal with, that is why Spiritist Doctrine does not rule out medical care or therapeutic practices at any time. The proposal is to connect with God, to know the Gospel of Jesus, who came to Earth especially for the sick, the afflicted and the weary. Jesus is the model human being sent by the Creator and experienced love, charity, friendship, betrayal and death on our planet. When Jesus says he overcame the world, he overcame materiality. He proved to be our liberated and eternal Spirit. We have to learn to trust the Master.

His are the words for us to pick up our cross and walk with Him. His is the invitation of the Sermon on the Mount that we may find in Him the point of support in the adversities of life. Let us take possession of the peace of the Nazarene Master.