“I feel it rolling in . . . It feels black as night/stealing all the light.” These words begin my song “Keep Going.” I know what the rolling feels like—and the darkness. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder. These are familiar words in my immediate and extended family. I don’t know a family within our family that hasn’t been affected by mental health challenges. But we know that God’s light can bring us out of darkness when we trust Him, share our love, and keep going.
Struggling with Darkness
When I asked followers of my music what they would like me to write and sing about, the most frequent request was to help them with anxiety and depression. This is not surprising.
Elder Erich W. Kopischke suggested,
Sometimes I wonder if the ‘desolating sickness’ covering the land, as mentioned in the scriptures, might include mental illness. It is worldwide, covering every continent and culture, and affecting all—young, old, rich, and poor.1
Knowing the large number who contend with these dark challenges, I was conscious of the responsibility I assumed. Knowing that God is the light to bring anyone out of darkness, I began with prayer for guidance in bringing His light to those who struggle.
Life is full of challenges, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. But we must remember that we are not alone. Overwhelmed sometimes, but never alone. We may feel consumed by darkness, but if we keep going, hope is within our grasp to take us out of places that threaten us.
With the Savior by our side, warming and comforting us with His perfect light, we can overcome any obstacle before us. We are not defined by our struggles, but by the strength and resilience we show in overcoming them. We must keep going—allowing Him to lead us out of dark places.
Reaching Out and Loving
“Tell me you love me” and “say that you’ll stay with me” are vital words from “Keep Going.” It’s easy to feel like we’re all alone and no one understands what we’re going through.
Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and anxiety can be incredibly powerful, and they can make us feel like there is no way out of their grip. But God has blessed us with people who love us and want to help us. We don’t have to deal with the darkness alone.
Support from loved ones is critical in bringing persons out of dark lonely places. Those loving and beloved individuals speak words that can pull us out of the pit where we feel like we have fallen. In the moments when the burden is crushing, we need to feel heard and understood. A heartfelt hug or loving, lifting words can reach for us and draw us out of despair and toward the light.
The Savior is our greatest support, as He knows us better and loves us more than any earthly person could.
Seeking Help Out of Darkness
In the talk quoted earlier, Elder Kopischke also taught,
It is important to remember that the Savior loves each of His Father’s children. He fully comprehends the pain and struggle that many experience as they live with a broad range of mental health challenges. Challenges often indicate a need for additional tools and support and are not a character defect.
Before mental and emotional health challenges were understood as accurately and treated as effectively as they are today, many misunderstandings deepened the darkness around them.
Some persons felt (and sadly a few still do) that mental health issues should be thrust in dark corners where only intimate mature family members can know about them. Today we realize that we can’t shake off, think away, wish away, or even sing away depression and anxiety.
Our family has benefitted from counselling and medication. We keep lines of communication open to be able to express how we are feeling. We strive to avoid judging others and to be gentle with our words, knowing that anyone we speak with could be struggling.
These internal, relational thoughts and actions bring light and comfort. Thoughtless words and outdated attitudes and practices are about as helpful as a very dim flashlight when the bright light of the Savior is needed to bring those we love out of agony.
Perhaps “Keep Going,” linked above, will bring some peace to help those who suffer mental difficulties to keep going.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In