I've been on the board a bit today and seen some really powerful posts about personal struggles of some, or those who are going through the with family members. We had a sad situation with a youth in our ward this week who took his own life, this is something that was written by a doctor in our ward and posted on a public facebook page so I feel ok about sharing it, however I took out the name:

"Because Nature has instilled within each of us the desire to live, it is very difficult to comprehend a mental illness that robs one of that very desire. We have all been afflicted with physical illness, and we look forward to its resolution through surgery, antibiotics, or convalescence. But can you imagine when illness affects the brain and undermines our emotion? Can you imagine when the brain is unable to conceive of a day when the sun shines? Can you imagine that even when you start to feel better, you only feel worse knowing the clouds will return?

Mental illness is no different than physical illness in that it attacks, sometimes without mercy. Just as cancer or infection has the potential to overwhelm the body and take control, depression has the potential to overwhelm the mind, to reprogram it into believing that there is no hope, no control, no other way.

Let us push back against our biases. Biases that we've inherited from our culture, from our religions, and from our society. We must destroy the idea that people are depressed because they are spiritually sick. Depression is not a spiritual disease. Although, people who are depressed suffer spiritually, just as those who suffer from physical ailments, mental illness is not a product of a spiritual problem. Rather, it is a consequence of this mortal existence. It is an invitation to those around to extend succor, friendship, love, and understanding. And today, it is an invitation to "mourn with those who mourn".

Today it is an invitation to remember that God's Grace is far greater than we give credit and His Mercy covers those who have endured affliction. Our Heavenly Father sent us here to learn, and through the Atonement of his Son, He will joyfully welcome all of us home, into His loving arms again."