When all seemed lost for the Taylor brothers as they battled PTSD, they learned to seek God and ask for his help.
Mitch and Chris Taylor are brothers who served in the military. They describe in a blog post on the Mormon Channel how their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan affected them.
While Mitch and Chris fought alongside the bravest of souls in Iraq and Afghanistan, they soon learned that the war involved more than simple firefights. Experiencing the traumas of war left deep scars for Mitch and Chris—scars that weren’t limited to the skin.
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin
The Taylor brothers both returned from their service with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The disorder affects every facet of life in ways that are impossible to foresee. Those who deal with PTSD may also face addiction, depression, and insomnia—trials that not only feel physically painful but can also lead to thoughts of suicide. The Taylor brothers note that on average, every day 22 US veterans commit suicide.
How did the brothers escape PTSD’s horrific grasp? By calling in reinforcements. In their darkest hours, they knew that they could rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to send the aid needed—from help with addiction to dealing with emotional pain. Chris later said, “How wonderful it felt to experience that emotion of being rescued, for the enemy was destroyed, and I would live to fight another day. Good had prevailed, and I finally allowed myself to be healed by Christ’s all-encompassing Atonement. How wonderful it felt.”
Through honest prayer, daily scripture study, and the counsel of divinely appointed leaders, we can lighten and resolve our burdens. The Taylor brothers’ powerful story not only sheds light on a serious mental health issue but also reminds us where to turn in our own times of trouble.
Read or watch Chris and Mitch Taylor’s full story of recovery, “His Grace: Persevering with PTSD.”
Source: mormonchannel.org
—Brad Elders, Mormon Insights
feature image by stijn swinnen
Find more insights
For more information on and help coping with PTSD, visit the VA’s website for mental health.
Read “12 Steps to Hope and Healing,” by Maryssa Dennis, about the LDS church’s Addiction Recovery Program and how you can help others with addiction or receive help yourself.