MP E12 Managing Mental Health in the Mission Field

Dr. Jonathan Sandberg (former mission president and professor of marriage and family therapy at BYU) re-joins the podcast for part 2 of our discussion on mental health and missionary work.  This episode is focused on how to manage mental health during the mission.  The principles that Dr. Sandberg shares are applicable for anyone desiring to better understand the critical topic of mental health.   Episode Highlights 1:00  What is stress and why are missions stressful? 5:50 Adjusting to Missionary Life pg. 59.  Understanding the 4 levels of stress. 9:25  Transitions in missionary work- Adjusting to change 11:00  Stoplight analogy.  How understanding your purpose makes happy missionaries. 12:25 Three things that will help you to know when you need help 14:00 Coping when you like to be alone 15:50  Music in the mission field 16:30 Struggling with a companion-where is your loyalty? 17:50 2015 Research study on treatment- 80% of all people make progress in the first 6 weeks of receiving treatment. 18:25  Research on exercise and mental health 20:00 Why do missionaries not seek help? 21:25  When you want to go home. 23:00 Mission counselors and other resources available 23:45  Parents as a resource 26:30  What if you have no support on your mission 27:30 Prayer as a resource 30:00 Scriptures as a resource 33:00 Music as a resource- The power of Hymns 34:15 What about when you need to come home? 47:00 Scrupulosity- What is it and what help is available? 51:00 We all have mental health, whether healthy or unhealthy 54:10 Transitioning home and making a plan 57:00 Willing to get help