Lesson 24 Teacher Material

Addressing Mental Health with Hope and Compassion

Mental health challenges can be a significant part of our mortal experience. In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to identify how they can improve their mental and emotional health. Students will also consider how they can respond with greater compassion to family members and others who may experience mental health challenges or in circumstances involving suicide.

Suggestions for Teaching

We bless ourselves and our families as we strive to maintain and improve our mental health.

Display the following scripture references: Job 6:1–3; 1 Nephi 18:17–18; Alma 26:26–27. Invite students to silently read one of these passages and to look for challenges to the individuals’ mental or emotional well-being. Ask students to share what they find. As they share, you may want to list their answers on the board.

• What other types of challenges and circumstances can negatively affect our mental or emotional well-being? (List students’ responses on the board.)

• Why might it be helpful to know that facing challenges to our mental and emotional health can be a normal part of our mortal experience?

Remind students that Jesus Christ was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Invite students to share experiences the Savior had that illustrate the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Display the following scripture references: Matthew 14:22–23; Mark 1:35; 6:31, 46; Luke 5:16. Invite students to silently read one or more of these passages and to look for lessons we can learn from the Lord’s actions. Ask them to share what they find, and help them recognize the following truth: We follow the example of Jesus Christ as we take time to rest, be still, and pray.

• Why is it important to actively care for your mental and emotional health? (Consider reading the statement by President M. Russell Ballard in section 1 of the preparation material.)

Give students a few minutes to reflect on and record one way they can strengthen their mental or emotional health and to create a simple plan for doing so. Consider referring students to the questions in section 1 of the preparation material for ideas.

We can respond with Christlike love and compassion to individuals who experience mental health challenges.

Display and read the following accounts of individuals who have experienced mental health challenges, as shared by Sister Reyna I. Aburto. Or, if you prefer, show the first part of the video “Like a Broken Vessel” (time code 0:00–3:16, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite students to reflect on how they feel as they hear these accounts.

My daughter once wrote: “There was a time … [when] I was extremely sad all of the time. I always thought that sadness was something to be ashamed of, and that it was a sign of weakness. So I kept my sadness to myself. … I felt completely worthless” [Hermana Elena Aburto blog, hermanaelenaaburto.blogspot.com/2015/08].

A friend described it this way: “Since my early childhood, I have faced a constant battle with feelings of hopelessness, darkness, loneliness, and fear and the sense that I am broken or defective. I did everything to hide my pain and to never give the impression that I was anything but thriving and strong” [personal correspondence]. (“Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 57)

• What thoughts and feelings did you have as you listened to these accounts?

Provide each student with a copy of the accompanying handout, or display the questions for everyone to see. Invite students to read and ponder the questions on their own. After sufficient time, arrange students into small groups and ask students to share their thoughts about one or two questions that resonated with them.

Mental Health Challenges

The Eternal Family Teacher Material—Lesson 24

• How can individuals who experience mental health challenges be blessed by acknowledging and talking about them? Why might it be important for these individuals to seek help from a Church leader or competent medical professional?

• If a family member or friend shares with you that he or she is experiencing a mental health challenge, what might be the most important thing (or things) you can say or do? (Consider reviewing the statement by Sister Reyna I. Aburto in section 2 of the preparation material.) What are some things that would not be helpful to say or do? When have you seen someone respond in a Christlike way to another person’s mental health challenge?

• Reflect on what Jesus Christ understands about our mental health challenges. (You may want to read Alma 7:11–12.) How can you seek His help if you suffer from a mental health challenge or if you are supporting someone who does?

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Mental Health Challenges

After sufficient time, invite a few students to share what they learned in their group.

We can help prevent suicide and help those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Remind students that severe mental health challenges can be risk factors for suicide. Invite students to review Mosiah 18:8–9 and to share how the teachings in this passage can guide us in helping those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. (As students share, they might identify a truth similar to the following: As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and mourn with those that mourn.)

• In what ways have you seen this principle in action? What other specific actions can you take as a disciple of Jesus Christ to help prevent suicide? (You might want to show the video “Preventing Suicide” [1:43], featuring Sister Carol F. McConkie, which is referenced in section 3 of the preparation material.)

• How can Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help those who struggle with suicidal thoughts? How can They help individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide?

Give students a few minutes to record what they can do to respond with Christlike love and compassion to someone else’s mental health challenge or in circumstances involving suicide.

For Next Time

Consider asking the following questions at the end of class or in a message during the week. Invite students to study the preparation material for the next class with these questions in mind.

1. In what ways can your repentance affect the well-being of your family?

2. How can you receive help to forgive a family member who has offended or hurt you?