391: Why Mental Health Workers Became the Black Sheep of the 21st Century Church

In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie and guest Maxine Hanks dive into the complexities of reform and personal wellness within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

This fascinating conversation explores the first-hand experience of two women whose influential work spans a half-century in the LDS spotlight. With this time-span as a reference point, they discuss how the focus of institutional reprimand and control has shifted from scholars to mental health professionals, especially mental health workers who publicly address complex issues at the intersection of identity development, mental health, and its connection to LDS theology and practice. 

Further, they explore the phenomenon of "diffuse policing," where in some wards and stakes, fellow members, rather than just church leaders, report and judge one another, leading to a sense of danger and exclusion within spiritual communities. Ultimately, they call for continued efforts to embody love, create safe spaces, and support the health and healing of all members, at every stage of the faith journey. 

Books Referenced in this episode:

"The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy" by Carol Lynn Pearson

"Women and Authority: Re-Emerging Mormon Feminism" by Maxine Hanks

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:49 Reflecting on Sacred Work

01:49 Comparing Different Eras

03:01 The Impact of the Internet

06:02 Public vs. Private Scholarship

09:09 Mental Health Workers Under Fire

14:07 Balancing Individual and Institutional Needs

18:38 The Role of Mental Health in Faith Journeys

24:18 The New Taboo: Mental Health and LGBTQ Issues

25:40 Identity and Wellbeing: A Personal Journey

27:31 The Role of Mental Health Workers in the Church

30:32 Institutional Insecurity and Individual Growth

33:09 Policing and Persecution Within the Church

37:35 The Erosion of Safe Spaces in the Church

45:20 The Greatest Danger to the Church Today

49:51 Concluding Thoughts: Embodying Love and Compassion

Additional Episodes Referenced:

Ep. 179 - 182: Maxine Hanks Life Story

Ep. 222, 272: Maxine Hanks and Jody England Hansen on the recent garment changes