Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson

 This book, first published in 2018, gained a wide following early on. I recall that Darci Galligo, my friend in Rapid City, highly recommended that I read it. She suffers from depression and found it so helpful to read this account of stories and experiences that helped her deal with her struggle. 

Johnson recounts many of her own experiences with depression as well as those of others. It's a hopeful book, in that ideas and coping strategies are shared. I got a little bogged down at the end; it felt kind of redundant. I have read widely about this topic, so most of this was not new to me. I did appreciate her faithful approach, and pointed out where church members could do better in supporting and not judging those among us with mental illness. 

I happened to see this on a Relief Society give-away table one evening here in St. George, so I thought it was worth picking up. I thought I would read it and pass it on, but I'm not sure whom to pass it on to. Those that I know who have bouts or clinical or chronic depression are pretty well-versed in the subject. But maybe I could pass it on to someone who doesn't have this background? We'll see. 

I think in its time it was a much-needed book. Now this topic is frequently addressed in General Conference and in Church magazines. I guess it never hurts to reiterate our responsibility to "mourn with those that mourn" and it's always good to be reminded to never judge...