The Mental Health Training Center

Watch this brief video to learn what The Mental Health Training Center is all about!

Welcome to Lesson 1! In this lesson, you’ll dive into the science of stress—what it is, how it works, and why it happens. You’ll learn to recognize the symptoms of stress and identify your personal stress triggers, giving you greater awareness of how stress impacts you.

This is also where we begin building your Stress-Less Toolkit—a personalized set of strategies and tools designed to help you manage stress effectively and thrive during your mission. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more prepared to face challenges with confidence and start creating habits that support your emotional and mental well-being.

Let’s get started on your journey to stress less!

Many preparing missionaries have requested a lesson covering a big-picture overview of what mission life looks like. In this 15 minute bonus video, you will learn more about the roles of Mission Leaders, the structure of mission leadership (APs, STLs, ZLs, DLs, and more) and find out what a typical day for a missionary looks like, starting bright and early at 6:30 AM. This video is a highly requested bonus episode to help orient preparing missionaries to missionary life. Knowledge is power. And knowing what a mission schedule and structure is like can help preparing missionaries STRESS LESS!

Welcome to Lesson 2! In this lesson, we’ll explore the topic of homesickness—what it is, why it happens, and, most importantly, what you can do to navigate it when it arises. Nearly 3 in 4 college-age students experience homesickness, so chances are, you’ll encounter it during your mission.

Here, you’ll learn about 10 practical tools to help prevent homesickness or minimize its impact when it comes. These strategies will empower you to stay grounded, focused, and connected as you adjust to being away from home. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to manage these feelings and continue thriving in your mission.

Let’s get started!

Welcome to Lesson 3! One of the most unique and rewarding aspects of your mission is living and working closely with a companion. In this lesson, we’ll explore 5 powerful relationship tips that will help you build strong, positive connections and navigate the challenges of living with someone 24/7.

You’ll learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, set healthy boundaries, and develop a sense of teamwork and unity. These skills are not only essential for your mission but will also benefit your relationships throughout your life.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more prepared to create a meaningful and productive companionship that helps you both thrive. Let’s dive in!

Welcome to Lesson 4! Emotions can be complex, and navigating them is a crucial part of maintaining mental and emotional health. In this lesson, we’ll focus on two key topics: comparison and cognitive dissonance. You’ll learn how these concepts influence your emotions and how to better understand and manage them.

Most importantly, we’ll explore how to sit with and navigate difficult emotions in a healthy way, building your capacity to handle challenges with resilience and self-compassion. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have new tools to approach your emotions with greater clarity and confidence.

Let’s get started on understanding the language of emotion!

Welcome to Lesson 5! In this lesson, we continue our exploration of the language of emotions by focusing on one of the most potent and powerful emotions: shame. Shame can be a challenging emotion to face, but understanding it is key to building emotional strength and resilience.

You’ll learn how to recognize when shame arises on your mission, understand its impact, and develop strategies to build shame resilience. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be better equipped to confront and work through feelings of shame, allowing you to thrive with greater confidence and self-compassion.

Let’s dive into this important topic together!

Welcome to Lesson 6! In this lesson, we’ll focus on two of the foundational pillars of mental health: eating and sleeping. These are essential components of your overall well-being and play a critical role in how you feel and function each day.

You’ll learn about healthy eating habits, explore tips from the Latter Day Missionaries Cookbook, and discover how to optimize your sleep for better mental health and energy. Together, these two fundamentals form the keystone of maintaining emotional and physical resilience.

This lesson sets the stage for Lesson 7, where we’ll cover the remaining fundamentals: breathing and moving. Let’s get started on building a strong foundation for your mental health!

Welcome to Lesson 7! Get ready for a fun and engaging lesson as we explore the next two pillars of mental health: breathing and moving. These practices are not only essential for your well-being but can also be enjoyable and energizing!

You’ll learn a variety of breathing techniques that can help you calm your mind, reduce stress, and feel more grounded. We’ll also dive into the importance of movement, including practical ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Plus, you’ll get to explore the Movement Matters booklet, a resource packed with ideas to keep your body active and your mind healthy.

This lesson is all about equipping you with practical tools to boost your energy, reduce stress, and support your overall mental health. Let’s get moving!

Welcome to Lesson 8! In this lesson, we’ll tackle the topic of rejection and explore how to face it in healthy, constructive ways. Rejection can be one of the toughest emotional experiences, but it can also be a powerful opportunity for personal growth and resilience.

You’ll learn how to reframe rejection, turning what might feel like a setback into a chance to learn, adapt, and grow stronger. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have practical strategies for managing rejection and transforming it into a positive force that drives your development and success.

Let’s dive into the power of reframing rejection and turning challenges into growth!

Welcome to Lesson 9! In this important lesson, we’ll explore depression and suicidal ideation—understanding what they look like, how they can affect mental health, and most importantly, what you can do about them during your mission.

You’ll learn how to recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, both in yourself and others, and gain tools for responding effectively and compassionately. This lesson will empower you to better support your own mental health and reach out for help when needed, ensuring you have the resources and knowledge to navigate these difficult emotions.

Let’s begin learning how to face the shadows of depression with strength, awareness, and action.

Welcome to Lesson 10! In this lesson, we’ll dive into anxiety—what it is, how it manifests, and how to manage it effectively. Anxiety is something many people face, and understanding it is the first step in learning to cope with it in healthy ways.

You’ll learn how to recognize the symptoms of anxiety, how it can impact your thoughts and behaviors, and most importantly, what strategies you can use to reduce its effects and regain a sense of control. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have practical tools to manage anxiety during your mission and beyond.

Let’s unpack anxiety together and equip you with the tools you need to navigate it with confidence!

Welcome to Lesson 11! In this lesson, we’ll explore Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and scrupulosity, understanding what these conditions look like, how they can affect mental health, and the powerful tools you can use to manage them.

You’ll learn about the characteristics of OCD and scrupulosity, including the impact they can have on your thoughts, behaviors, and emotional well-being. Most importantly, we’ll dive into cognitive restructuring—a powerful tool that will help you challenge unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in understanding and addressing these challenges, with practical tools to manage them effectively on your mission and in your life.

Let’s dive into the world of OCD and scrupulosity, and start empowering you with the skills to thrive!

Welcome to Lesson 12! In this final lesson, we’ll focus on the importance of finding flow in your mental health—balancing between rigidity and chaos, and embracing the dynamic nature of emotional well-being. You’ll learn how to reflect on your journey so far and recognize the progress you’ve made.

Through this reflection, we’ll review the high-yield principles and key lessons from each of the previous lessons, celebrating your growth and strength along the way. This lesson marks the completion of your time at The Mental Health Training Center and prepares you to embark on the next chapter at The Missionary Training Center with confidence and resilience.

Let’s reflect on how far you’ve come and celebrate the tools and insights you’ve gained to support your mental health and well-being moving forward!

Just in case you missed it earlier, this section contains all the downloadable materials for the entire course!