Reader comments
LDS therapists' workload expected to rise

nice article | 3:21 a.m. April 5, 2008

Very informative and helpful.

The source cited said to expect continued increases in the numbers needing help but did not state why the numbers would go up. So why?

Angelica | 12:56 p.m. April 5, 2008

Wow, really? Depression? Higher than normal perfectionism??? Duh. The Mormon church does that to you! And it really brings out the guilt... the immense and unnecessary guilt alone is enough to cause mental illness or symptoms thereof. Speaking from personal experience here.

Mark | 2:30 p.m. April 5, 2008

Angelica, I've never experienced guilt....immense, unnecessary, or otherwise. I'm sure it was more than the church that "messed you up" along the way. I hope you find peace and comfort somewhere along the line.

Comments continue below

economically frustrated | 2:42 p.m. April 5, 2008

how long will capitalism last and liberalism be heralded? capitalism and liberalism is not the answer. two words that to myself and millions others define as one=greed. by the way, ahem, neither is socIalism or any other ism.

Anonymous | 3:00 p.m. April 5, 2008

Mental illness in the Church will continue to increase as the gap between beliefs and reality continues to widen. The more out of touch with reality Mormons are, the more mental illness.

Pretty simple.

holley | 4:08 p.m. April 5, 2008

wow - anonymous huh? It is not out of touch it is a desire to do what is right. Out of touch are those that think they can be happy living the way our stars, political advisors, etc live and expecting to be happy and well rounded. Look at them, do they really look happy? Don't think so. By the way, notice I didn't mind putting my actual name at the top. Hypocrits.

Holley | 4:11 p.m. April 5, 2008

one more thing, lds therapists don't just work with those that belong or even believe the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is called Humanitarian Aid. Try it, service can work wonders for your attitude.

Perfectionism | 8:29 p.m. April 5, 2008

LDS mental health experts have recognized that perfectionism is a problem among Mormons. Scott Richards, a psychologist at BYU, has addressed this in his chapter in Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity, published by the American Psychological Association. People may debate the its causes, and research has not arrived at a definitive answer, but it has been observed and treated by LDS psychologists for years.

Adam Chavez | 11:32 p.m. April 5, 2008

I believe that the perfectionism within the Church comes down to members simply not believing the good news of the Gospel. It is true that Christ has told us, even commanded us, to be perfect as He is. But it is equally true that His loving sacrifice covers our sins.

We sometimes forget that we are saved by His grace and mercy. The LDS culture of perfectionism is very different from the Prophetic doctrine that Christ's Modern-Day Prophets teach.

Sometimes we forget this, and instead of listening to the still, small, voice that beckons us with love to live to our full potential -- we instead listen to our pride and try to keep up with the Jones's in terms of how spiritual we are or how rich we are or how much we weigh or how well we speak.

I try to remember that Christ will not judge us for not being as good as the others -- only for what we did with the gifts we were given. And he will send legions of angels to help us to use our talents to bless others if we just ask.

social workers wife | 6:19 p.m. April 6, 2008

Why is it that the social service world is always called upon to volunteer their efforts? When I have a financial problem or legal problem the church doesn't ask my stake president financial expert to work for free. I guess because they're caring professionals they'll always be expected to be underpaid and over worked. Yes, the article states retired mental health professionals, but it is amazing how many times my husband has been expected to offer his services for free. Not even the policemen in the stake get called as often to give advice for "the good feeling it is to serve". gah.

Stepheny | 8:16 a.m. April 7, 2008

The good news is that a substantial number (well more than half)of persons suffering with various chronic forms of mental illness do much better than stabilize, they actually recover. That doesn't mean they get back everything they have lost, but they are able to do well enough to be considered in recovery, marry hold jobs and do what all us "normal" people do.

Helping at this crucial stage of a person's life can only be a good thing.

Nebraska | 2:47 p.m. April 7, 2008

I suffered witrh depression on my mission and it was difficult to deal with. This was several years ago and the advice I got was to get out and do the work. Years later, I am pretty well stabalized on meds and do ok with my life. I would not trade my mission for anything in the world, but I wish mission presidents would realize that there is clinical depression and it is just like anything else, diabetes, etc. It needs to be treated. I love the gospel and my savior, but depression has always been a struggle in my life.

Therapist | 4:44 p.m. April 7, 2008

As an LDS therapist who works with clients both in and out of the church I would have to say that the perfectionism experienced among our people is not without refelction in the general US population. However, it does seem to get more intense among the LDS. I feel that this is due to our tendency to measure our self-worth by how we are doing at our daily commitment to a lifestyle religion.
Members of our faith tend to forget that there is a difference between clinical problems and just being sad or stressed. Clinical anxiety and depression are not something that can be simply prayed away or willed away by belief in the atonement.
I am glad to hear that the church is accepting the reality that it is not realistic to simply bar any with a history of problems from missionary service. Having clinical problems is not connected with worthiness. My understanding is that most pre-mission evaluations done by LDS Family Services result in permission to serve anyway.

One of Them | 7:30 a.m. April 17, 2008

I am bipolar. It is in part hereditary -- my father also shared my thorn. Some of my sons also share it. It is not unusual for the clinical dimension of our illness to be manifest in the early 20s... yes missionary years. I watched watched with sadness as mission leaders with limited understanding and support struggled with our first missionary son. There was one service couple for the Asia region. Our second son's experience was better because of better training and resources both for him personally but also for his leaders.

Recently however, the "higher bar" has brought new concerns. Asthma has the same potential to impact a missionary as mental illness that is recognized and in treatment. Why do we not apply similar concerns about the ability of the asthmatic missionary to serve as the somewhat rigorous measures that were most recently applied to mental illness -- Has the candidate been treated for depression? If yes then limit service to the States. If more than once consider recommending "alternative service".

I hope that as was described in the article, the criteria have become more enlightened and the candidates with stable mental illnesses are considered for "full" fellowship.

re: Social Worker's Wife | 6:47 a.m. April 20, 2008

You would be surprised (if you knew) how often other professionals are called upon for service - look on the missionary bulletin that the church releases every month. Professionals are needed everywhere once they are retired. I think that too many psychologists/social workers like being the center of attention and like being called on to comment on anything that deals with humans. That could be why it is the case with your husband. If it was the news trying to do a story on depression would he volunteer his time to be on TV?

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