People with cancer are three times more likely than the general public to experience a depressive disorder. In the advanced stages of cancer, the incidence of major depressive syndromes increases to 60%. Suicide events occur in 75% of patients with depression. Good death is the main goal of hospice palliative care. It is correlated with sufficient preparation for death. However, depression and suicide always distract patients from death preparation. The report introduces clinical Buddhist chaplains to take care of terminal cancer patients with depression by resolving their spiritual issues to improve their life quality and prevent them from committing suicide. The final goal is to help terminal cancer patients to make sufficient preparation for a good death. We adopt modified DSM-IV criteria to diagnose major depression in terminal cancer patients. Clinically, depressed patients can be effectively treated with combinations of enhancing social support, pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, counseling, complementary, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. The study using cases report is intended to illustrate the way of clinical Buddhist chaplains to take care of terminal cancer patients with depression. Starting from building up good relationship with the patient, we gradually strengthen the family and social support, resolving spiritual issues such as low self-esteem, self-abandon, unwillingness, and unfinished wishes. We highlight the Buddhist way to get rid of suffering from depression mainly from defeated principle of survival and self-blame by enhancing the inner power to overcome the fear of death.
