“I was kind of struggling with finding a purpose and dealing with my emotions in a healthy way,” said Becca Ekberg, a young adult from Sandy, Utah, who recently completed a new emotional resilience course offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church’s “Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience” program is now available in English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Another 10 languages will be added in March. Some of the videos for these 10 languages are accessible online.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently sat down with Ekberg to discuss her experience with the new emotional resilience course.
“‘Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience’ teaches gospel principles to strengthen you spiritually, while also developing healthy coping skills to meet life’s challenges and opportunities,” said Bishop Gérald Caussé of the Presiding Bishopric. “The Lord loves you, and He cares about your welfare.”
Ekberg and other members of her congregation were encouraged to take the 10-week course by her bishop, and she felt inspired to participate.
"The material covered by the self-reliance course is extremely relevant for everybody today, especially our young people who are dealing with anxiety and stress, depression, trying to make life decisions,” said Terry Dixon, Ekberg’s bishop from Sandy’s Flat Iron Ward, a congregation for young single adults.
“I knew I struggled and so I wanted to be able to identify the triggers and be able to have a plan to turn to that I’ll be able to use throughout my life,” Ekberg explained.
“It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues,” said President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president. “While adversity is an inevitable part of life, trusting in the Lord, reaching out to loved ones and learning skills for building emotional resilience can help us weather life’s challenges.”
As part of the course, participants learn gospel principles that help them come closer to Christ and learn to hear Him along the way.
Ekberg’s family observed that she was able to make decisions with greater confidence as she participated in the emotional resilience class.
“I could see her be more confident in her dealings with her friends, and with the decisions she was making in her own life,” said Deanna Ekberg, Becca’s mother. “She has an amazing spirit and amazing testimony. And it keeps growing, and it has grown immensely through this class.”
“None of us are immune from life’s challenges — all of God’s children around the world face stress and anxiety. But the universal principles in this resource can help anyone feel more prepared to face those challenges, and thankfully it’s available in several languages to help people across the globe,” said Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Department.
Over time, Becca felt that the course helped her strengthen her connection with Heavenly Father and better understand her covenants.
“I think the biggest thing that’s changed is my attitude about life,” she said. “We all experience emotional hurt and heartache, and this is a course that will help provide a resource for help and a strength in the Savior because that’s what it’s about — the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Online Resources
The course manual’s 10 chapters cover topics such as building emotional resilience, developing healthy thinking patterns, managing stress and anxiety, understanding sadness and depression and overcoming anger.
The emotional resilience manuals and videos may be downloaded from the Church’s website or viewed on the Gospel Library mobile phone app under Life Help. Manuals are also available at Church distribution centers. Those interested in the training are encouraged to reach out to their local Church leaders to learn when groups meet in their areas.
Other self-reliance programs offered by the Church include “Personal Finances,” “Starting and Growing My Business,” “Find a Better Job“ and “Education for Better Work.”