Cause Of Anguish

Mental Health

Melissa still didn't want to visit him in prison. Her grades had fallen from A to C. She no longer has a social position in the school. She faces having a hard time making new friends. Rumors continued to spread throughout the city. She felt everyone had turned against her. She just had her fourteenth birthday. This was the first year she didn't have a birthday party.

Jane needed Ray to tell her what to do. She was unprepared for the situation. Jane prayed things would get better. Melissa isolated herself. She was extremely sensitive to how others acted around her. Jane always took Melissa on Friday night to dinner. Melissa paid more attention to how others looked at her. She didn't want to go to the skating rink anymore. She only wanted to stay home.

Sometimes Jane would stand at her door at night and hear her cry. Jane said I'm fine just watching a sad movie. Jane couldn't hear the TV on. Melissa didn't want to talk to her. Jane called the school and asked the counselor to talk to her. Melissa declined to speak to the counselor. He didn't trust anyone anymore.

Jane saw the signs of depression in Melissa. She didn't know how to handle the situation. Jane told the counselor what was happening. The counselor recommended that she and Melissa go to therapy and recommend a family doctor. She thought that if Melissa talked to someone who didn't know her, it would be easier for her to share her feeling. Jane wondered if she should discuss it with Ray.

There was nothing he could do to help the situation. Jane knew if Ray was home, this would not happen. Jane scheduled an appointment with the phycologist, but how could she convince Melissa to leave?

Jane returned home, and Melissa was lying on her bed with a bottle of pill in her hand. She ran to the bed to see Melissa’s breathing was shallow. Her skin was pale and moist. She was gurgling and not responding to screaming or physical stimulation.

Jane picked up the phone and called 911. She read the prescription bottle to the 911 dispatcher. There were pain pills in the bottle.

Melissa's lips turned purple. Her breathing had almost stopped. Jane knelt down and prayed. Loving God, I pray on humble knees that you comfort Melissa. Give skills to the hands of healers, paramedics, doctors and everyone you meet. Give me confidence in the power of your grace, so that even when I am afraid, I can fully trust you. God, please heal her body, mind, and spirit. Psalm 107:19, In their distress, they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their misery. Sir, I'm on my knees crying out to you right is minute. Isiah 53:5 says, But our transgressions pierced him, our iniquities crushed him; the punishment that brought us peace was in him, and by his wounds, we are healed. Please save Melissa. She is all I have. Please forgive me for not being there as I should. Lord, please find the favor in Melissa. She is just a child dealing with adult problems. She doesn't know how to handle them. Lord, only you have the power to save her. Lord, I'm begging you for mercy. Please let Melissa be okay. Amen.

They admitted Melissa to the hospital to receive physiological evaluation. Jane didn't want to leave the hospital. She was afraid of what would happen if he left Melissa. The doctors told her to go home and prepare the house for her return.

Jane went home and searched her room for a suicide no. There was one on the dresser. Jane continued to prepare the house, making sure there were no pain pills readily available. He closed all his prescription drugs, locked in a suitcase. The suitcase was in the bedroom closet. They hid the pills from Melissa. Melissa returned home and agreed to go to therapy. Both went to therapy. Melissa would see the counselor first. Jane would be part of a family counseling session. After several sessions with Melissa, the counselor recommended group therapy. Group therapy helps people develop communication and socialization skills and allows clients to learn to express their problems and accept criticism from others. Group therapy allows people to develop self-awareness by listening to other people with similar problems.

Jane did not visit Ray as scheduled. She was afraid to leave Melissa alone.

Ray had called Jane many times with no answer. Ray was relieved that he hadn't received a crisis call. Ray asked a fellow neighbor Randolph to text his wife. Randolph agreed, and they sent the text message to Jane. Ray is worried. He wants to know what is happening. He'll call at six tonight. Please answer the phone. I love you.

Ray called, and Jane answered the phone. He started fussing because she wasn't answering the phone. He continued fuss, and she didn't explain. Jane hangs up the phone, went into her bedroom and started crying.

Jane could be alone and deal with her feeling. She felt confused. She had failed as a mother. How could she not see Melissa was getting depressed? Why didn't you see the signs before you reached this point, and how could I help you? How could she make sure Melissa didn't attempt suicide again? How would she live with herself if she were successful? God is the only one that could help her.

Jane awoke Melissa and told her to get dressed. She was taking her to church. This would be her first time attending a Mormon church. Being in the church could help Melissa. It is more family-focused than most churches. She begged Melissa to go. If they didn't like it, they would find another church.

The Priest meets them at the car and enters with them. Everyone in the church welcomes them. Melissa felt uncomfortable being around other people. Everyone accepted her with love and compassion.

Melissa went to the skating rink with the church. Melissa felt she belonged. She had finally found a set of new friends. Friends who accepted her. The church received them with Christian love and understanding.