Read more about the article Teen Mental Health in America is Getting Worse. What Can We Do About It?
Top of Mind with Julie Rose

Teen Mental Health in America is Getting Worse. What Can We Do About It?

Overall mental health among Americans - young and old - took a nose-dive during the pandemic. But the trend among teens has been worrisome for at least a decade now. Starting around 2012, suicide overtook homicide as a leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds. In the most recent big survey of high schoolers the CDC does every few years, a quarter of students said they'd seriously considered suicide. Nearly half reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless. One thing is clear: Teen mental health in America is getting worse. What can we do about it? Let's look at three areas for possible intervention for teens in crisis. A lot of doctors and families recognize that medication is often an effective part of mental health treatment. But others worry that we're too quick to jump to prescription medications - particularly for teens. We'll tackle the role of sleep: two-thirds of American teens are chronically sleep-deprived. We'll look at the effects of social media, which seems like an obvious culprit - but outright banning it could actually make things worse for some teens.

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March 25, 2024
Read more about the article Easter
CFM: Mental Health Insights

Easter

In this episode we won’t talk about any specific readings from the Book of Mormon, but rather focus on an Easter message. We’ll talk about some of the events of Holy Week, including the stark contrast from the joy of Palm Sunday to the grief of Crucifixion Friday. We’ll review how, even though the ancient saints lingered in grief after the Savior’s death, the brilliant events of Resurrection Sunday rewarded their faith and healed their pain. We’ll talk about the applications for our lives, as we each experience grief and wait for resolution.

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March 25, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 31–33
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 31–33

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters 31 through 31. These are the last of Nephi’s writings in the Book of Mormon, and continue to demonstrate his commitment to personal accountability. We’ll talk about how long-term improvement requires consistent application of good interventions. It’s not enough to simply start a good process; we have to continue with it. We’ll also discuss how doing difficult things is one of the best ways to improve our mental and emotional health. As we engage in challenging tasks of improvement, we’ll find we achieve greater and more consistent change over time.

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March 18, 2024
Read more about the article What Every Bishop Needs to Understand About Betrayal Trauma
Leading Saints

What Every Bishop Needs to Understand About Betrayal Trauma

Ashly Leavitt has an associate degree in theatre and music, a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. After a 10-year career as an educator, Heavenly Father made it clear that He wanted her to shift to counseling and specialize in betrayal trauma recovery, relationship repair, and divorce recovery. Ashly loves helping those who have experienced betrayal trauma to discover and reconnect with themselves again. As a co-founder of Rejoice! Recovery, she enjoys using her educator and counselor experiences together to create classes on healing and relationships, leading discussions on boundaries, and co-hosting the podcast, Phoenix Forte: Connecting to Healing and Joy After Divorce. You can catch Ashly presenting at conferences and retreats. On Sunday, you'll find her serving in her all-time-favorite calling as a Relief Society instructor. Ashly has previously served in Primary and Young Women's Presidencies, but she's been honored to serve by teaching Relief Society in multiple wards over the last 12 years. However, Ashly’s biggest accomplishment is managing to survive as a single mom of two. During her free time (if such a thing exists) you would find Ashly supporting the local theatre scene, playing board games with friends and family, participating in the Lamb of God Easter production on Temple Square, and laughing with her kids while they dance in the kitchen together. Links

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March 16, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 26–30
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 26–30

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters 26 through 30. Nephi provides his own prophesy of the future of his people and of saints in the latter days. We’ll talk about how Nephi is a good example of being accountable for his circumstance, no matter how difficult it was. We’ll review how Satan wants us to avoid accountability, knowing this will lead to feelings of ineptitude and frustration. We’ll discuss how the process of mental health change, and any other personal change, takes time and consistency. 

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March 11, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 20–25
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 20–25

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters 20 through 25. These are the conclusion of the Isaiah chapters in Nephi’s personal record. We’ll talk about the message of hope that is found throughout the writings of Isaiah. We’ll discuss how hope can help manage mental health issues, by helping us look forward towards better days, even when things are difficult. We’ll also discuss how as we take responsibility for our own choices, we automatically get more power and motivation to make positive change. 

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March 4, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 11–19
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 11–19

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters 11 through 19. These are the first of the Isaiah chapters in Nephi’s personal record. We’ll talk about how important these writings were to Nephi, and how they provided him with peace and assurance during times of trial. We’ll review the concept of aligning our beliefs with truth, particularly as it relates to our tendency to twist God’s teachings to meet our own preferences. We’ll also discuss how everyone has access to peace and happiness in their lives, but only upon obedience to the principles that govern such feelings. 

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February 26, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 6–10
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 6–10

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters six through ten. This is the first time we hear the words of the prophet Jacob. We’d been introduced to him earlier, but now we start to get some insight into his character and challenges. It would appear that Jacob suffered from chronic anxiety. We’ll talk about how he handled his anxiety issues. We’ll review the writings of Isaiah that he quoted, and how these writings clearly communicate hope to all who struggle with challenges. We’ll discuss how coping with mental health issues requires consistent work and effort, but is quite possible. 

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February 19, 2024
Read more about the article 2 Nephi 3–5
CFM: Mental Health Insights

2 Nephi 3–5

In this episode we’ll talk about 2 Nephi chapters three through five. These chapters contain what is often referred to as the Psalm of Nephi, which we’ll spend most of our time discussing. We’ll talk about how Nephi was having emotional struggles after the death of his father. His struggles caused him to doubt his abilities and his purpose. Yet after remembering his blessings and taking action, he was able to rise about his challenges. We’ll review the applications for mental health and emphasize how taking accountability for our mental health improvement is one of the best paths to success in this area.

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February 12, 2024