When to seek help for mental and emotional issues

I have been more aware lately of those who struggle with depression and suicidal tendencies, and I wanted to post something that I had collected for a Relief Society newsletter about a year ago. This was written by Emily Alder, and is a good starting point. As the year progresses I am going to be reading a lot more on the topic, and I may have other things to say, but this is written by someone with some expertise, and with compassion:

As Latter-day Saints we are taught to be self-sufficient and, as a result, we sometimes mistakenly believe that we must do everything on our own. There are many members of the church who will only seek help from their bishop, home teachers or visiting teachers, and only in the most extreme situations. Sometimes we can feel embarrassed when circumstances and emotions seem to be beyond our ability to cope. God has promised us that he will not give us burdens and temptation beyond our ability to bear them (1 Cor. 10:13); however, the scriptures do not say that we have to do everything for ourselves without assistance. In fact, this is unhealthy thinking that can result in a lot of physical and emotional pain.

Mental health professionals exist to help those in need, and it is important to recognize when we would benefit from their services. Striving toward perfection can often feel discouraging. Discouragement can quickly turn to depression, a feeling from which it is very difficult to break free. Signs of depression include loss of interest in things that you normally enjoy, difficulty getting out of bed, problems falling or staying asleep, increased crying, an increase or decrease of appetite, feelings of hopelessness, and sometimes even thoughts of harming oneself or others. These are very serious feelings that should not be taken lightly and do not need to be confronted on your own.

There are also some issues that may be too complicated or too time consuming for the bishop or other leaders to handle. It is also appropriate to seek mental health counseling in these circumstances, such as struggles with substance abuse or other addictions, general or social anxiety, relationship or marital problems, behavioral problems with kids, experiences with trauma or abuse, identity problems, and anything else that prevents you from enjoying life and/or feeling normal. It is very important to remember that you are not weird or strange, and you should never be embarrassed if you are struggling with any issues that impede your happiness. We all have experiences that are difficult and we all need help sometimes. We are daughters of God, who loves us, and He wants us to be safe and successful.

The last thing to remember is that there are countless therapeutic techniques and many theories about what type of treatment works best. We are lucky to live in an area where there are so many mental health professionals, but sometimes it can feel like trying to find the right sock in a stuffed drawer —you may not always find the best match at first. It is appropriate to ask a therapist or counselor about their treatment style and then decide for yourself what works best. Just because you didn’t like one particular counselor or felt that one person wasn’t very helpful, it does not mean that you will never benefit from professional counseling.

For more information about seeking help, talk to the bishop, the Relief Society President, your doctor, or go to www.providentliving.org.