Look Who it Was Random video

Depression, Mormonism, and Faith Transitions Pt. 2 | Ep. 931

2,830 views · Published 28 May 2018 · 50:34 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: Mormon Stories Podcast · 2018 · Education

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In light of a statement on LDS.org declaring, “An inability to feel the spirit … is often a symptom of poor mental health,” Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT CST and John Dehlin, Ph.D. are joined by our guest Matt to speak about his experiences with Mormon faith crises, depression, and suicidality—issues he has dealt with for 20 years.

According to Matt, it makes him angry to read that his struggles were a trial, test, or blessing from God, or that he could have been healed if he had more faith, prayed, or hadn’t “sinned.” Matt believes that religious observance is not a cure for mental health illness, and in these episodes, Natasha and John discuss how Mormonism, and in particular a faith transition in the context of Mormonism, can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

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Part 1: Natasha and John discuss depression and then introduce our guest, Matt

Part 2: Matt shares his faith transition and how it affected his mental health

Part 3: Natasha, John, and Matt discuss the LDS Church’s statement regarding mental health and the ability to feel the “Spirit”

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Left church and felt alone
01:23 Guilt when mom diagnosed with leukemia
02:20 Moves home to help family, returns to church
03:44 Goes to Spain, tries figuring out life
04:55 Graduates BYU, marries in 2010
06:52 Temple issues weeks before wedding
08:13 Tells wife of temple concerns
09:04 Depression and stress lead to overeating
09:50 Cutting keeps some people alive
11:42 Makes changes to improve health
12:53 Still attending church despite doubts
13:24 Faith crisis hits fully
14:53 Sister also struggled with cutting
16:04 Cutting not suicidal
17:14 Faith crisis while improving health
17:49 Restrictive eating disorder develops
19:13 Body dysmorphia develops
20:57 Keeping faith crisis secret is distressing
22:05 People listen to feel less alone
24:24 Suicidal at work, gets help
25:36 Finds online ex-Mormon community
26:22 Resources for cultural competency
29:17 Community helps like church did
32:17 Comes out to wife as non-believer
33:12 Starts therapy for eating disorder
33:44 Depression worsens despite treatment
35:28 Psychiatrist prescribes medication
36:10 Suicidal thoughts persist
36:36 Suicide risk increases with plans
37:44 Treatment takes time to work
38:32 Treatment resistant depression
39:50 Team approaches to treatment
41:01 Medication can save lives
41:51 Need therapy too, meds alone insufficient
42:52 Lifestyle changes also critical
43:38 How suicidality presents
45:00 Getting the person help
45:28 Hospitalization if needed
46:20 Suicide often impulsive
48:44 Article wrongly spiritualizes mental illness
49:26 Church culture on mental health
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At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  

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3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

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