“I wish to speak to those who suffer from some form of mental illness or emotional disorder, whether those afflictions be slight or severe, of brief duration or persistent over a lifetime. We sense the complexity of such matters when we hear professionals speak of neuroses and psychoses, of genetic predispositions and chromosome defects, of bipolarity, paranoia, and schizophrenia. However bewildering this all may be, these afflictions are some of the realities of mortal life, and there should be no more shame in acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance of a malignant tumor.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel,” October, 2013)
I believe this with all of my heart. I have children with emotional and behavioral diagnoses and we talk openly about them. I teach them that it is part of them, something they fight every, but it is not who they are. They know it is not something to be ashamed of or hidden away, it is just part of life. I, myself, have been very open about my struggles with anxiety over the years. For some reason, this new battle with depression has me all discombobulated. It is hard to admit and hard to talk about. I’m not sure how to ask for help, or what help I need. It is making me feel very uneasy as I work to be present for my family and live up to other commitments I have. Who am I, when there are so many others who are also struggling, to ask for help or to admit that callings or additional pressures may just be too much right now?
Who am I? A daughter of God. One who is fighting a very real, though unseen battle that only those who have traveled through can truly understand. I know that now as I experience it first hand for the first time. I thought I understood. I did not. Ask for what you need. Talk about it. Let your leaders, friends and family in and let them ease unnecessary burdens. And reach. Reach for your Father in Heaven, for your Savior who knows and will walk the path with you.
