How to Support Latter-day Saints Struggling With Depression & Anxiety | An Interview with Jane Clayson Johnson
Summary: Jane Clayson Johnson grew up playing the violin and attended BYU on a music scholarship, then changed her studies to journalism. After graduating, she worked for KSL News in Salt Lake City, then moved to Los Angeles where she was a correspondent for programs such as ABC World News Tonight and Good Morning America. She was later an anchor on The Early Show and a correspondent for CBS. Jane left her full-time job when she married her husband, Mark Johnson, to be a wife and mother. They have two children together and reside in Boston, where she also works as a fill-in host for NPR's On Point. She has written two books, <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/am-mother-jane-clayson-johnson-64858?variant_id=36732-paperback" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I am a Mother</a> and <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/silent-souls-weeping-depression-sharing-stories-finding-hope?variant_id=168585-hardcover" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silent Souls Weeping</a>. Jane Clayson Johnson<br> Highlights<br> 5:45 About her book, I am a Mother<br> 6:20 Hosts On Point for NPR<br> 6:50 Considers self a storyteller<br> 7:25 Authoring new book, Silent Souls Weeping, on the subject of depression, especially as it relates to her own experience with clinical depression<br> 9:25 Wondered “How can I be so depressed when I am so blessed?”<br> 11:35 After receiving treatment and beginning to feel better, Jane began to speak with others and realize how many people suffer with depression. She began interviewing others, and the book was born.<br> 12:30 All interviews are with faithful Latter-day Saints who have struggled with depression<br> 13:00 Kurt recommends the book for church leaders who are battling with depression, especially since as a leader he did not have any framework to help people who are suffering—no advice to offer beyond “go see a professional”; the book helps him understand different perspectives.<br> 14:25 Jane has learned that we need to reach out and help each other, because so many of us don’t speak about the suffering; feels the worst part of depression is the “profound isolation”<br> 16:30 So often we suffer in silence—it’s where the title of the book comes from, Silent Souls Weeping<br> 17:35 Depression is easy to hide at church<br> 18:00 One bishop made a list of the mental illnesses he saw in his ward and concluded about about one quarter of his ward were affected, and that was just the issues that he knew about<br> 19:35 Depression can block us from feeling the spirit, God’s love<br> 20:10 "It was like the most important part of my soul had been carved out of me"<br> 20:20 When you are depressed and active in a church that often equates happiness with righteousness, depression can be tormenting<br> 22:15 One sister described a sense of desperation, seeking help anywhere, felt depression was a sign that she was somehow unworthy, hypocritical<br> 23:30 Depression happens to us regardless of our circumstances, the loss of the spirit may be the most distressing part of depression and why we need to seek treatment<br> 23:50 Kurt reminds us depression does not only affect those who “don’t understand” the gospel but can affect anyone<br> 24:20 One theme of the book is how depression affects our ability to feel the spirit. Another theme is the stigma attached to depression.<br> 25:25 Kurt tells the story of one sister suffering with depression wished to be in the place of a sister with cancer’s shoes because of the extreme stigma and embarrassment she felt related to suffering with depression<br> 26:30 Jane explains the woman with cancer and woman with severe depression were both admitted to the hospital at the same time—they were sisters. The depressed sister felt like people would treat her and her family differently if she had cancer instead of something stigmatized like depression.<br> 27:25 Depression is not the result of personal inadequacy<br>
