Embracing Self-Reliance and Emotional Resilience

Open conversations and specialized training provided by Family Services are fostering a culture of self-reliance, mental health awareness, and emotional resilience among church leaders and members in the Africa west Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Family Services plays a crucial role in equipping leaders with the resources they need to support their members effectively. This initiative marks a significant step toward holistic well-being within the church community.

Tamara Esi dadson’s Dedicated Service

Tamara Esi Dadson,a Family Services agency manager,dedicates her efforts to supporting the emotional health needs of church members across West Africa. Her work involves frequent travel throughout the 17 countries comprising the Africa West Area: Benin,burkina Faso,Chad,Côte d’Ivoire,Gambia,Ghana,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Liberia,Mali,Mauritania,Niger,Nigeria,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Togo,and western Sahara.

Tamara Esi Dadson, a Family Services agency manager in the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leads a training on emotional resilience during an FSY conference in 2024. | Provided by Tamara Esi Dadson

Dadson’s responsibilities include helping church leaders understand the emotional health needs of their members and providing access to mental health resources that support both the leaders themselves and their congregations.

Overcoming Stigma and Changing Attitudes

Initially, Dadson faced significant challenges due to the stigma surrounding mental health. Nobody wanted to be associated with anything [about] mental health, she recalled,noting that many peopel mistakenly believed mental health support was only for those experiencing mental illness.

Though, attitudes have been shifting as more individuals participate in Family Services trainings and engage in open conversations about mental health. Dadson shared an experience from a rural ward were a leader used the Gospel Library app to direct members to the Life Help section, which includes resources on abuse, addiction, grief, unemployment, and mental health.

This experience reinforced her conviction that the Lord needs me,and He will let me know in which capacity. Dadson believes her work is divinely inspired and essential for the well-being of church members in the region.

Positive Impact on Church Members

Dadson has observed that church members are increasingly seeking and receiving the help they need,thanks to the proactive approach of their leaders. Members feel like ‘I don‘t have to hide. I can go to my leader and talk to him, because he talks about it in sacrament meeting,’ she explained.

This shift toward openness and acceptance has been a profoundly humbling experience for Dadson. It’s such a humbling experience that they recognize the need to understand their members emotionally, themselves emotionally and their families emotionally, she saeid.

A Personal Connection in Nigeria

during a recent assignment to lead mental resilience training in Nigeria, Dadson experienced a deeply personal connection. It was her first return to the country since her parents served as mission leaders there when she was a child. Going back there was a beautiful experience. I didn‘t expect to have the overwhelming feelings that I got, she shared.

Dadson reconnected with individuals who had joined the church because of her parents’ service. Despite unforeseen circumstances that moved the training to a workday, the meetinghouse was filled with eager participants. Dadson attributed this turnout not to her own merit, but to the people’s trust in the church’s offerings. It centered me. It’s not by my might, it’s not even by my knowledge. This is the Lord’s work. and He takes you where He needs you, she reflected.

Church Resources for Emotional Well-being

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides extensive counseling resources to assist leaders in supporting members with emotional and social challenges. Additional resources for emotional health include:

• Family Services: Offers professional counseling and support.
• Gospel Library App: Provides access to the Life Help section, addressing various life challenges.
• Self-Reliance Services: Helps members develop skills for emotional and economic independence.