Anxiety - and A Grateful Heart — Mark & Elaine Quinn

This post was written with permission.

Whenever I would see Sister Mitchell, her beautiful smile would melt into tears. I was worried. At first, I thought she was experiencing homesickness and was just having a difficult time adjusting to missionary life. President Quinn and I tried shaking things up for her with a new area and a new companion. It seemed to help a little. She had wonderful support from home and she was doing everything she could to stay healthy and happy. Yet the tears kept coming.

I finally realized that this sweet missionary was suffering with anxiety and depression. I felt badly that I hadn’t recognized it sooner as she had to suffer so much. We had her talk with our doctor, who confirmed my suspicion. Sister Mitchell began taking medication. Eight days later, the tears stopped and she began feeling more like herself again. When I saw her next, her smile grew bigger and her eyes brightened. I hugged her and we both jumped for joy!

I, myself, have had a journey with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, it took years before I was diagnosed. Years ago, no one talked about mental health. I tried so hard to overcome it, only to feel guilt and shame that I couldn’t make myself feel better. I didn’t know they were real illnesses. At one point I was hospitalized, and I remember telling my doctor I was praying for a miracle. He held out his hand and said, “I have a miracle for you,” and in his hand was a little red pill. Medication turned out to be a great miracle for me, giving me my life back. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for inspiring scientists, researchers, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies to develop medications that help my brain function normally so I can be healthy. Yes, I still must manage my anxiety and depression in some ways, but my medication is truly lifesaving.

*I wrote a book about my experiences with depression and anxiety with the hope to help others who suffer with these illnesses.*

Sister Mitchell is not alone. About 20% of our missionaries manage mental health challenges. This seems to be the case in other missions as well. I recently saw another missionary who now looks wonderful—truly glowing. This missionary is also working with our doctor and taking medication for anxiety. This missionary also had tears in their eyes for a long time. They suffered with anxiety and had an additional challenge of overcoming some trauma. They told me that being on a mission has allowed them not only to work with our doctor and therapist, but also to seek the Savior and His healing in a focused, guided way. This report has warmed my heart this week and made me very happy!

Sometimes President Quinn and I have a missionary whom we simply can’t help get well fast enough. Keeping them on their mission would be like asking them to run a marathon with a broken leg. When this happens, we lovingly send them home to their family and home doctor to find healing. We encourage them to finish their missions. We rejoice as we see these missionaries finish their missions both at home as service missionaries and some come back when healthier and finish in California! We are grateful once again for good doctors and medical care.

I admire the courage of Sister Mitchell who is doing all she can to find wellness and continue to serve her mission. She and the other missionaries in CASRM who deal with mental health issues inspire me! You know who you are!

This Thanksgiving week I have a grateful heart for healing, and wellness for many! And a grateful heart for that little red pill, which happens now to be white – that I still take daily. Thank you Heavenly Father!

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Here is journal prompt #21 - I am excited for the Christmas Season!