Breaking Stigma: Mental Health & Therapy in Mormon Culture – The Shift Beyond LDS Support

Mental Health and Therapy in Mormon Culture: The Changing Landscape Beyond LDS Support

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has been a cornerstone of community life for millions of members worldwide. Beyond spiritual guidance, it has often been the primary place members turn during life crises. In the past, this meant that when someone struggled with depression, anxiety, or trauma, their first conversation might be with a bishop or stake president.

While these leaders are typically compassionate and well-intentioned, they are not trained mental health professionals. Their role is ecclesiastical, not clinical—focused on spiritual stewardship rather than therapeutic intervention. For some, these conversations brought comfort and hope. For others, they resulted in unintentional harm, especially when mental health struggles were interpreted solely through a spiritual lens.

The Deep Roots of Stigma in Mormon Culture

In traditional LDS culture, mental illness was often associated with spiritual weakness. Members who felt persistent sadness or anxiety might be told to pray more, read scriptures, attend the temple, or serve others as a way to “cure” their distress. While spiritual practices can play an important role in resilience, they are not a substitute for therapy, medication, or other evidence-based treatments.

For decades, the stigma around therapy in LDS communities was so strong that members might avoid counseling altogether for fear of being seen as “unfaithful” or “broken.” Conversations about depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder were often avoided, and mental illness was sometimes viewed as a moral failing rather than a medical condition.

Bishops as Counselors: Good Intentions, Risky Outcomes

Bishops in the LDS Church are unpaid lay leaders chosen from the congregation. They serve for about five years, balancing church responsibilities with their regular careers—which might be in engineering, law, construction, or other unrelated fields. They are not required to have mental health training.

While bishops receive instruction on offering spiritual counsel and can refer members to LDS Family Services, many try to help directly. In cases of mild distress, a listening ear can be beneficial. But in situations involving severe depression, suicidal ideation, trauma, or abuse, the lack of professional training can lead to advice that is ineffective—or even damaging.

Some members report that bishops discouraged them from seeking outside therapy, suggested that repentance would “cure” mental illness, or failed to recognize signs of abuse. Others felt pressured to disclose deeply personal matters in a religious context, which sometimes intensified feelings of shame rather than providing relief.

Trauma from Untrained Spiritual Counseling

The harm caused by well-meaning but untrained counseling can be lasting. For individuals dealing with sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ identity struggles, or domestic violence, the wrong advice can deepen trauma.

For example:

• Victim-blaming in abuse cases – Some survivors have reported being asked if they had “provoked” the abuse or being urged to forgive and reconcile prematurely.

• Minimization of mental illness – Depression or anxiety might be dismissed as a sign of weak faith rather than a health condition requiring treatment.

• Harmful messages for LGBTQ+ members – Those who came out to bishops sometimes faced pressure to remain celibate for life or seek “conversion” efforts, leaving deep emotional scars.

The reality is that spiritual leaders can play an important role in emotional support, but without professional training, they are not equipped to address the complexities of mental health.

The Movement to Normalize Therapy in LDS Culture

In the last decade, there has been a visible cultural shift toward accepting professional mental health care in Mormon communities. Younger members, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are leading the change. They openly discuss going to therapy, taking medication, and setting boundaries—concepts that were once avoided or whispered about.

Social media has played a key role, with LDS therapists, advocates, and influencers sharing personal stories that normalize seeking help. Podcasts like Questions from the Closet and organizations like Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends provide visibility and support.

The church itself has also begun addressing mental health more directly, publishing articles and videos encouraging members to seek professional help and acknowledging that prayer alone is not always enough.

Services for LGBTQ+ Members and Ex-Members

LGBTQ+ individuals in the LDS Church face unique mental health challenges due to doctrinal teachings on sexuality and gender. Many experience internal conflict, family rejection, or feelings of isolation within their faith community. Professional therapy—especially from LGBTQ-affirming providers—can be life-saving.

Organizations like Encircle in Utah and Affirmation offer counseling and community support for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and former members. For those who have left the church, “faith transition therapy” helps process grief, identity changes, and the loss of community while building new support networks.

Why This Shift Matters

Normalizing therapy in Mormon culture is more than just a trend—it’s a matter of public health. Suicide rates in Utah remain among the highest in the U.S., particularly among youth and LGBTQ+ populations. The more therapy becomes an accepted, shame-free option, the more lives can be saved.

Professional therapists bring not only clinical expertise but also confidentiality, objectivity, and the ability to address trauma in ways that untrained clergy cannot. When church members feel safe combining spiritual practices with professional care—or choosing professional care entirely—their chances for recovery and resilience grow significantly.

A Hopeful Future

The stigma is not gone, but the movement toward acceptance is gaining momentum. More members are speaking openly about their experiences, more church leaders are encouraging professional help, and more mental health providers are learning to navigate the unique cultural dynamics of Mormonism.

The goal is not to replace faith but to expand the range of tools available for healing. Therapy and spirituality can work together—or separately—depending on a person’s needs. In either case, prioritizing mental wellness is a step toward a healthier, more compassionate community.