June 12th, 2026 
Scott 
TheDisicpleMD
We live in a world where public interaction has always been an essential part of our lives. Be it in our jobs, church, or even our homes. Over the years, I have spoken to countless individuals who are suffering from anxiety, depression, and a host of other disorders. Some of my church’s faithful members do all they can to keep the commandments and obey the gospel principles. Despite faith and priesthood blessings, their illnesses remain. Sometimes, their illness causes them to have shame and self-loathing. Their stories are heartbreaking, and though often filled with pain, their hope and faith are something to admire.
“How many people in your circle of friends are suffering from some form of mental illness? One? Two? None? Chances are good that your estimate is too low.
A major study by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that as many as 20 percent of adult Americans suffer from a disabling mental disorder. The most serious and chronic of these disorders—schizophrenia, manic-depression, and chronic major depression—often require hospitalization and medication. In fact, serious mental disorders fill more hospital beds in the United States than cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis combined. But milder forms of clinical depression and severe anxiety can also disrupt individual and family lives and require professional treatment. (See “How Many Are Suffering?” p. 53. Jan Underwood Pinborough, “Mental Illness: In Search of Understanding and Hope,” Ensign, Feb 1989, 51) With the addition of COVID-19 issues and other stresses of modern life, I’m sure the numbers have increased dramatically since this article was published.
As a young father of 4 small children, I was horrified when a new neighbor who had moved in next door to us would often stand outside on his front porch and scream obscenities. Not at anyone in particular, just to the wind. My wife was frightened when this would happen, and if the children were outside playing, she would hurriedly rush outside and gather them into the house. It was of great concern to us, and we were not particularly friendly to the single middle-aged man who had moved next door. We kept to ourselves, and I can’t recall actually talking with him the year or so we were neighbors. I later found out from a neighbor that he suffered from Terrets syndrome. I guess that was a symptom of the disability. If I had understood his plight, I could have better handled the situation with a little more love, rather than fear.
As we go through life, we face many of the challenges of this mortal life. The human body, with all its imperfections, including mental, is undoubtedly one of them. If mental illness, in all its forms, hasn’t personally touched us, we will surely have a loved one who will suffer from such an affliction. I hope that each of us will try to overcome the tendency to judge and condemn others who suffer such pain. I pray that we have overcome the tendency to judge those suffering. I know there was much condemnation of those who suffered from such disabilities in decades past. Most of which came from misunderstanding and misinformation. So much so that I have found that many suffer in silence because of undeserved shame; they walk the lonely road often alone. Do as the Savior would do when in doubt: love and lift!
The day may come when Mental Illness will take residency in our bodies, but our souls are ‘of a different matter.’ And even though most of us understand that the Lord loves us, we will still look for the outstretched arms of others for support. May the Lord bless us with the wisdom, courage, and strength to persevere such trials, be we the lonely traveler or the loving “Good Samaritan” who is charged to help those where mental illness has established a temporary residency! To those who suffer, you are not alone!
