Confession for Suicidal Thoughts?

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DakiniArtist

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Someone mentioned something on another thread and it gave me pause.

If one is seriously depressed, does one have to confess suicidal thoughts?
 
Suicidal thoughts are not a sin, however, if someone is having them, they should seek professional help ASAP. A priest could be a good resource for finding help like that, and it would be a good idea to bring it up in confession.
 
DakiniArtist said:
Someone mentioned something on another thread and it gave me pause.

If one is seriously depressed, does one have to confess suicidal thoughts?
Click to expand...
There is a difference between temptation and sin. If one suffers suicidal thoughts, that is probably the devil giving them temptations, or their own body suffering from a physical ailment which causes them to have suicidal thoughts. That’s not a sin… yet.

It becomes a sin when that person gives in to despair and decides that he will commit suicide. Once the act of the will is made to do the act, the sin is committed. If a person then repents, then they can confess the sin of despair and willing to commit suicide.
 
Catholic1954 said:
Suicidal thoughts are not a sin, however, if someone is having them, they should seek professional help ASAP. A priest could be a good resource for finding help like that, and it would be a good idea to bring it up in confession.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything above except one thing. I would talk to the priest outside of confession because the seal of the confessional is inviolable even to save the life of the penitent.
 
Catholic1954 said:
Suicidal thoughts are not a sin, however, if someone is having them, they should seek professional help ASAP. A priest could be a good resource for finding help like that, and it would be a good idea to bring it up in confession.
Click to expand...
a priest is not a doctor or psychiatrist. If someone is having suicidal thoughts they need to go to a doctor.
 
DakiniArtist said:
Someone mentioned something on another thread and it gave me pause.

If one is seriously depressed, does one have to confess suicidal thoughts?
Click to expand...
The thoughts that pop up in our heads are not sins. However, if you consider them, accept the idea, start planning how to effect suicide, you are courting disaster and, may, indeed, be committing sin.

As soon as such a thought pops up, reject it, ask for help to resist it, pray three Hail Marys and do something to otherwise occupy your mind. The helplessness we feel in depression makes the thought of oblivion attractive, but remember, we will not experience oblivion after death because our souls are immortal.

If you have been entertaining suicidal thoughts, bring that to confession, but, also, get medical help. Perhaps you already are on medication for depression, but some medications have the side effect of suicidal thoughts. If that is the case with your medication, you need to have the doctor change it.

I have prayed for you.
 
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