201. Insights about depression and anxiety -- especially about missionaries.
Yesterday a Senior couple gave their homecoming talk in our ward. They said some things that have given me an insight as to why some missionaries have problems, and perhaps come home early, even though they have a testimony, etc. She was a professional counselor before they left, and they were called to the South east part of the U.S., Alabama, etc., and were mental health counselors to 18 different missions. She mentioned that before anyone goes on their missions, Heavenly Father knows how long they will be able to serve. She very kindly explained that whatever problem a person has, either physically or mentally, socially, etc., they take that with them on their missions. She said that if someone has diabetes, anxiety, depression, etc. and other physical ailments before their missions, the stresses of a mission add to what they already had problems with. She mentioned one young missionary whom they counseled, and he wanted so much to stay on his mission, but felt he was