Navigating Mental Health Challenges During LDS Missions
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Pressure of LDS Missions
The experience of serving as an LDS missionary can be incredibly challenging, particularly regarding mental health.
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Section 1.1: The Reality of Mental Health Struggles
During my time as a missionary, I encountered a companion who struggled with severe clinical depression. Initially, I believed my purpose was to uplift her spirit and help alleviate her condition. It’s easy to assume that if we can guide others back to a divine connection, we can also aid in their recovery from mental health issues. However, what she truly required was not my well-meaning attempts, but rather professional intervention.
Section 1.2: More Than Just Emotional Struggles
Another sister missionary faced the compulsive urge of trichotillomania, which left her with noticeable bald patches. I watched her condition worsen over time as she struggled alone. Yet another companion experienced PTSD from her prior military service. Her Bishop believed that serving a mission would aid her recovery, but the reality was starkly different.
Missions can be incredibly taxing on one’s mental well-being. The pressure is immense—there are expectations to “save souls” and emulate Christ's actions. The environment is rife with significant transitions: adapting to a new country, language, and culture, all while being cut off from family and friends, except for limited occasions. Moreover, there’s hardly any time to recharge; the singular day off is consumed with errands.
Chapter 2: My Own Battle with Depression
During my mission, my personal struggles with depression intensified. Although missions have the option to send individuals home early, the stigma associated with doing so is overwhelming. The commitment to "serve" often leads to a reluctance to step back, even when in need of help.
How my LDS mission triggered my mental health | with Allyson - YouTube
In this video, Allyson shares her personal journey and the impact of her LDS mission on her mental well-being, discussing the pressures and expectations faced by missionaries.
As I tried to be supportive of my depressed companion, my efforts sometimes became intrusive. I believed that engaging in service would lead her to happiness, all the while ignoring the fact that we both yearned for comfort and a moment to breathe.
Section 2.1: Signs of Change in the System
I’ve heard that the mission system is evolving; there are now more thorough screenings for mental health prior to embarking on a mission, along with improved communication with families. While these adjustments are positive, they may only serve as superficial fixes to deeper systemic issues that remain largely unaddressed.
Overcoming depression as a LDS missionary | with Frasier - YouTube
Frasier discusses his experiences with depression during his mission and the insights he gained about mental health in the context of LDS service.
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