Latter-day Saint Perspectives

Religious LDS culture has historically struggled to find a place for matters of mental health and depression as it dovetails with our mortal experience and our theology. As a result, many members may be unsure of how we as a people stand with respect to issues of depression, anxiety, and other common mental health issues. Elder Alexander B. Morrison writes: “I assure you that Latter-day Saints are in no way exempt from the burden of mental illness, either as victim, caregiver, family member, or friend. In every ward and stake, there are severely depressed men and women; elderly people with failing memories and reduced intellectual capacities; youth or adults struggling to escape the dark specter of suicide; persons of all ages, both sexes, and every walk of life, who exhibit aberrant, even bizarre behavior.” Using Elder Morrison’s book "Valley of Sorrows" as a backdrop resource, Brian Murdock, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and host Nick Galieti begin their discussion by debunking common myths a