What is the Church’s view on depression, and how should I deal with depression?

Everyone feels down from time to time, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the support of family, leaders, and others can help us again find comfort, joy, and peace. But Church leaders have acknowledged that severe depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), is a much more serious condition that can interfere with a person’s ability to function fully. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggested several things to do if you’re facing extreme depression:

• Don’t lose faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Do the things that bring the Spirit into your life (pray, study the scriptures, and so on).

• Seek counsel from parents and priesthood leaders.

• Obtain priesthood blessings.

• Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the promises of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.

• Watch for stress indicators such as fatigue, and then make changes.

• If your problem persists, talk to parents or priesthood leaders about seeking the advice of a certified professional with good values.

(See Jeffrey R. Holland, Oct. 2013 general conference.)