Mental Health

Some may be surprised to learn that Steve Young, San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, suffered with separation anxiety disorder. Here’s how his wrestle with anxiety has shaped his life.

Elder Erich W. Kopischke spoke candidly about the challenges of mental health and recommended a powerful Church resource.

When Elder Jeffrey R. Holland goes out into the field as a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said there is one question that frequently comes up: How should one care for their own mental health and emotional well-being?

Growing up, my family held family home evenings (FHE) that felt more like listening to a general conference talk than the usual games and short lessons I saw in friends’ homes.

This article was originally published by LDS Living in March 2020.

I have been a licensed psychologist for almost 20 years. I often get asked whether I think mental health challenges are on the rise, especially among today’s youth. The answer is complicated and involves a couple of factors: 1) The stigma of mental health concerns is slowly decreasing, creating greater willingness to talk about such issues, and 2) Society has more mental health resources than it has ever had before, particularly in the form of outreach.

Not long ago, I was at Walt Disney World with family. We were in line for one of the more intense attractions at the resort—the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This attraction is housed in a very creepy-looking hotel, full of ghostly sights and sounds. Following an elaborate preshow, you enter a modified elevator where you are strapped into your seat. At some point, in the pitch black and without warning, the elevator car plunges more than 10 stories to the ground, then accelerates up and down the shaft in a frantic motion. The experience is incredible, potentially terrifying, and one of my favorites.

As a mental health professional whose desire is to help people with mental health concerns, I was dismayed by some of the feedback I received publicly and privately about a recent article of mine that was shared on LDS Living.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided wonderful mental health resources in recent years. There is even an entire “mental health” section in the Gospel Library on the Church’s website. The content is excellent, and I encourage you to explore it.

Earlier this month, a nationwide study confirmed what many have suspected for some time: the prevalence of depression has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to researchers, symptoms of depression have increased more than three-fold since March. The CDC reported that 40 percent of U.S. adults described experiencing symptoms of depression in June. In a recent segment on mental health produced by WBUR in my hometown, Boston, a researcher suggested that depression spurred by the pandemic could itself become a second pandemic.

As part of the Deseret Book Live! series, psychologist and author Wendy Ulrich offered valuable, frank tips on how to stay mentally healthy during COVID-19.

In the Church video “You Are His Child,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminds others of God’s unceasing justness and kindness.

In a new video on the mental health website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches “those with the greatest need often need the greatest compassion.”

Oftentimes, it seems that those struggling with mental illnesses have a stigma around them when what they really need is kindness and understanding. In the most recent issue of the Ensign, author Sarah P. Hancock tells her story of her battle with mental illness and how her bishop showed the compassion that she needed.

Over the years, the Church has released numerous inspirational videos on a myriad of topics, ranging from overcoming addiction to living with mental illness and most everything in between. These inspired messages are meant to uplift and help individuals persevere through the many challenges and hardships of life.

Our son returned home early from his mission due to anxiety and depression symptoms. His early return was the culmination of weeks of discussions with his mission president and medical professionals who determined that the best thing would be for our son to come home.

In a BYU-Pathway Worldwide devotional, Jane Clayson Johnson shares the importance of speaking up about struggles with mental ilness

I recently experienced a couple of events that taught me about why some trials persist even though we are working hard to defeat them. Before I tell you about that, I need to provide some background. First, you should know we currently have two children at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg. Second, you should know that we live in Vancouver, Washington, which is about 700 miles from there. Third, I should tell you that I enjoy indoor cycling, which is a specific type of stationary bike—some know it as spinning. Please bear with me while I explain how these things are related.

Research shows that one in four people across the globe will suffer with some sort of mental disorder at one point or another in their lifetime and that 450 million individuals worldwide are currently dealing with such challenges.

I recently spoke with a close friend about her suicidal ideations. When I told her we were in the same boat, she balked. And for good reason: no two experiences are the same. Also, those cliché expressions often fall flat. But I meant it in a number of ways.

The fight for stable mental health is a difficult battle to take on alone. So, we've compiled a list of resources that give you and those you love a safe place to turn for help and advice.

This article originally ran on LDS Living in June 2015.

Last Wednesday, the LDS Living Book Club and Deseret Book hosted a fireside and Q&A with BYU English professor and author Spencer Hyde. Spencer has lived with severe OCD his entire life and based the book Waiting for Fitzroughly on his own experiences.

Conversations surrounding mental illness can often feel uncomfortable or potentially too sensitive to discuss. However, now more than ever, people have started to raise their voices about mental illness. Being comfortable talking about these hard topics is extremely beneficial for those dealing with a variety of mental illnesses. When we talk, we improve.

For many years I have been interested in the relationship between mental health and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe the gospel holds many keys to increasing happiness and decreasing fears. As I’ve started to write about my beliefs to a larger audience, I’ve come in contact with some individuals who often express skepticism about mental health issues being resolved through a deepened understanding of the gospel. They make comments such as:

When a couple has a new baby, we instinctively ask the new mother how she is holding up, but how often do we think to ask the new dad how he is coping with the stress of sudden fatherhood?

At 6 years old, I realized I cared more about the number of times the windshield wipers moved back and forth than I did about the thunderstorm. At 7, I understood germs to be more prevalent than air. At 8, I found it impossible to focus on anything religious because I was counting the number of vowels in a church-talk, tapping my knee in sets of three in order to stave off a serious illness or a catastrophic event that I believed would wipe away my family, and blinking (alternating left and right eyes) seven times when I saw the color black. My rituals each morning sometimes took up to two hours or more, and I often showered at least five times a day, washing my hands a minimum of 100 times per day. But it wouldn’t be until years later that I would be diagnosed with OCD.

One in four people worldwide will be affected by mental illness or neurological disorders at one point in their lives.

There was a time when Jane Clayson Johnson felt so depressed that she planned her own funeral and secretly searched for a woman to replace her as the wife and mother in her family.

"Getting the help you need is not a sign of weakness or failure. Heavenly Father wants us to be healthy, mentally and physically, and has given us many 'marvelous gifts' to help us cope with the mental and emotional challenges of mortality," writes Dave Clarke.

This story originally appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of LDS Living magazine.

Early in my career as a psychologist, I worked with a client who suffered from depression. Knowing that depression is primarily fueled by inaccurate, negative thoughts, I set out to help him change his thinking. Each week he would come in with a very pessimistic view of life. I’d tell him to try to focus on the positive. One particular time, he responded by providing a long list of negatives in the world, including widespread poverty, school shootings, dread health crises, pollution, domestic violence, hatred, ethnic genocide, social inequality, etc. He said, “How can I focus on the positive when there is so much negative all around us?” His answer gave me pause. I didn’t know how to respond. Was he actually correct? Were my attempts to get him to “think positive” simply a naïve overlooking of all the drama, death, and injustice that seem to plague the world every day?

The following is part of a transcript for the Deseret News podcast "Therefor, what?" Listen to the podcast below or view the full transcript on deseretnews.com.

Depression is a difficult reality for many people. Maybe you experience it yourself or you know someone who does. Whatever the case may be, we've gathered an assortment of resources with the hope that one or more will be useful to you or those around you who could benefit from further understanding on this important topic.

As we begin gearing up for general conference, we will be highlighting past conference talks to help us review, remember, and grow closer to the Spirit so that we can better recognize the Lord's voice and direction this coming October. The following is a small portion of a talk given by Sister Carole M. Stephens in October 2016. (Read the full talk here.)

Two sister missionaries serving in South Korea are inspiring thousands with a beautiful song they wrote about mental health and suicide.

In my psychology practice, there are times I’m able to work with members of the Church. They come with the same types of problems that non-LDS clients do: anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting issues, etc. However, because of our shared faith I am often able to use a different approach with the Latter-day Saints than with other clients. I remember one particular client I met with years ago. He was having daily panic attacks and had come in to seek help. Among other things, I inquired regarding his personal spiritual practices, including prayer and scripture study. He said he prayed most days but rarely read from the scriptures. We talked about many other things that day, but I left him with the assignment to study the scriptures daily, focusing on those passages that promised peace.

Throughout my service as a full-time missionary, I was blessed to serve closely with many people who touched my life in unique ways. Many of these individuals faced emotional struggles, like anxiety and depression. One of them was my own companion.

Anticipating problems can motivate you to perform at a higher level or help you plan ways of coping. But worrying should not take a significant toll. It shouldn’t cost you sleep, distract from work, or lower your self-esteem. If it does, you may be a chronic worrier. Consider the following ways to decrease worry and increase well-being.

One Sunday, when our 14-year-old son, Brian, attempted to sit through sacrament meeting, he lost control and began making squawking noises. He turned to us in anguish and said, “Do you think people know how hard it is for me to be here? Do they know how hard I try?”

When I was younger, I remember hearing people say, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” I quickly found that was not the case in every circumstance. One of my childhood friends lived a 20-minute bike ride from my home, which seemed like a long time to me. As I watched the birds fly so speedily, I thought: wouldn’t it be quicker if I could make some wings and fly? I tested a hastily prepared set of cardboard wings on the ground. Thankfully, I did this before executing my ultimate plan to use them to jump from the roof. I quickly discovered I could not do anything I set my mind to, with personal flight via homemade wings being a prime example. The slower bike would have to suffice for my transportation needs.

I love a good nap. Though not always the most productive activity, it can be a nice rest from physical and mental stress. I remember almost weeping for joy when I read President Kimball’s counsel that naps could be an appropriate Sabbath day activity. Hard work deserves appropriate rest.

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles that will address mental health challenges and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

According to BYU research, apps used to track diet, exercise, or mental health can actually be great self-help tools for users.

Recently, a friend reached out to me for some advice. Her daughter has received a mission call, but the guessing and celebrating long passed, excitement has given way to worry for this dear mom. And she’s not alone. Her missionary is also struggling with anxieties and doubts—feelings that seem to affect all newly called missionaries.

We’ve all felt it—the nervousness, stress, and worry that come with anxiety. Anxiety, after all, is a normal and expected human emotion. In fact, it has become instinctual for us to avoid things that make us feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

I was born with a genetic, chronic pain condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Through the years, I've been able to connect with many others who suffer from invisible, chronic or mental illnesses and many of us have dealt with similar frustrations or misunderstandings regarding others' interpretations of our conditions.

Despite many people, including Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum, University of Utah long snapper Alex Whittingham, coming forward and bravely discussing their own struggles with depression and/or anxiety, stigmas about mental illness are all too alive today.

Latter-day Saints are promised blessings such as peace, strength, and increased spirituality when we attend church regularly and go to the temple often. But for those who live with some form of mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, it is not always easy or comfortable to attend church and go to the temple and feel the effects of those promised blessings.

What a powerful example of what a difference seeking help for mental health problems can make.

With missionaries experiencing so many life changes at one time, it can be normal for stress to build and for mental health issues to arise. Here are a few ways he suggested we can better support missionaries with these challenges.

From his blog to a Church video sharing his own struggle with depression and suicide, Seth Adam Smith has been a strong voice for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

When Lisa Sabey's daughter wasn't recovering from anorexia nervosa despite therapy sessions and stays at residential treatment centers, Sabey decided to do something different. She decided to film her struggles with the mental-health system that was failing her family.

A new survey focusing on Mormon women and depression found that women who are very active within the LDS Church experience depression less than those who are not very active, a finding which may complicate the stereotypical belief that Mormon women are more depressed than American women.