ON REDEEMING DESPAIR: A CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO SUICIDAL IDEATION

Christ Can Raise Us from the Pit of Despair and Death 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

In the Ancient Christian understanding of the human person, despair is not merely a psychological state but a spiritual sickness - a distortion of the soul’s natural orientation toward God, love, and communion. Suicidal ideation, though deeply painful, is not an unforgivable sin in itself, but a cry of the heart that has lost its sense of meaning, value, and hope. The Orthodox tradition, both theological and pastoral, does not condemn the struggler but offers a path of restoration: the healing of the nous, the reformation of thought, and the resurrection of the person into divine life. 

Suicidal thoughts often arise from prolonged inner torment: shame, isolation, deep grief, or unresolved trauma. But Orthodoxy teaches that no suffering is meaningless when united to Christ. “God is near to the broken-hearted,” the Psalms declare, “and will save such as are of a contrite spirit.” The path begins with honest confession - both to oneself and to God. One must name the darkness without fear, because the Light of Christ has already entered the depths of Hades and illumined even the tomb. There is no corner of the soul too dark for His mercy. 

The Desert Fathers, who understood the psychology of temptation with profound clarity, taught that suicidal thoughts, like all logismoi (assaultive thoughts), should not be accepted or dialogued with, but resisted through prayer, watchfulness (nepsis), and action. St. Ephrem the Syrian wrote, “When despair whispers to you, do not listen; instead, sing a psalm.” This is not denial, but a redirection of the inner gaze: from the self to the Savior, from the pit to the promise of resurrection. 

In resisting these thoughts, the Church does not rely solely on the will, but seeks to heal the whole person through ascesis, sacrament, and community. The rhythm of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the sacraments (especially Confession and Holy Communion) re-train the body and soul in the habits of hope. In this process, practical steps matter: physical activity, creative expression, social connection, and seeking professional psychological support are not distractions from the spiritual life, but can be part of the synergy between human effort and divine grace. 

One of the most powerful tools in this struggle is thanksgiving. St. John Chrysostom, who suffered immense personal loss, famously said, “Glory to God for all things.” When the mind begins to spiral into darkness, one can gently, but firmly, turn it outward: naming one good thing, one beauty, one gift - however small. This practice does not invalidate pain; it grounds it in the greater reality of God’s providence. 

Self-hatred is among the most demonic deceptions. Orthodox anthropology insists that the human person, even in the midst of sin and distortion, remains an icon of God. The goal is not to escape oneself, but to rediscover one’s true self in Christ. “You are precious in my sight,” says the Lord (Isaiah 43:4). This identity is not earned: it is bestowed. It can never be lost, only forgotten. To remember this is the beginning of healing. 

Above all, one must not walk alone. The Church is a hospital, and no one is expected to face the darkness by themselves. To speak with a spiritual father, to weep before the icons, to ask the prayers of the saints and the living - it is in communion that we are saved, just as it is in isolation that despair grows. 

Suicidal ideation is not a final sentence. It is a symptom of a soul crying out for meaning and connection. In Christ, even this cry can become a prayer. And every prayer, no matter how weak or broken, is heard. For our God is “the God of the living,” who even now calls us out of the tombs of fear and into the light of His resurrection. 

Let the struggler remember: you are not alone. You are loved. You are not forgotten. And your life, even now, is capable of becoming a vessel of grace. 

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” 

Psalm 118:17 

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or needs support, do not hesitate to seek help from a trusted clergy member, a counselor, or a physician. Healing is possible. Grace is stronger than death.

COLLECT 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst descend into the lowest depths to seek and to save that which was lost: Have mercy upon all those who are wearied by sorrow, tormented by despair, or tempted to cast away the gift of life which Thou hast bestowed; restore unto them the joy of Thy salvation, renew in them a right spirit, and grant them to know the comfort of Thy presence and the healing of Thy grace; that, lifted up by Thy love, they may learn again to hope, to rejoice, and to live unto Thee, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.