Depression and anxiety have exploded in the past decade in the United States, especially, though not exclusively, among young people. Tragically, anxiety and depression frequently contribute to suicide and suicide attempts, with young men in particular taking much of the brunt of this epidemic of self-harm. Many suffer in silence, with neither family members nor friends aware of their mental, spiritual, and sometimes even physical anguish. What can we do to reintroduce hope, purpose, peace, and perhaps even joy into the lives of those who are feeling lost? What can both Catholic belief and practice offer in particular?

A listener asks: How can I help my kids return to church?

00:00 | Introduction
01:51 | Bishop Barron visits Catholic schools
02:56 | Addressing the US depression epidemic
07:57 | The insufficiency of non-spiritual tools for depression
14:02 | Secularism’s role in depression
17:32 | 1) Faith frees us from the illusion of control
19:09 | 2) Faith offers us metaphysical hope
20:38 | A Christian response to hopeless feelings
21:46 | 3) Faith moves us to focus on the here and now, not on future worries
25:25 | 4) Faith helps us live for the good of the other
28:07 | 5) Faith liberates us from fear of death and the insignificance of labors
30:18 | Distinguishing dark nights of the soul from depression
32:37 | Practical advice for those in the dark
34:33 | Listener question
37:20 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

Links:

Anxiety and depression stats: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr213.pdf
Suicide stats: https://wisqars.cdc.gov/fatal-injury-trends/
Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

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WOF 477: 5 Ways Faith Can Free You from Anxiety & Depression

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture