A mother locks herself in her closet, where the kids cannot hear, although she doubts her own strength to form the words:

Kristine Doty discusses depression and helps those battling with this issue. (Photo by Tim Shaw)

“Please God, let someone get into this subject and see that it’s real, it isn’t fake. That it isn’t just women who are selfish or women who are on the fringe of the Church or don’t have a testimony or aren’t serving. Let that pain we feel, that emptiness, let someone speak for us, finally.”

Amy (name changed) prayed for years to witness this kind of study.

Amy, age 41, is one of 20 Utah Valley residents diagnosed with depression who shared their experiences with Dr. Kristine Doty, assistant professor of behavioral science at Utah Valley University. Doty’s keynote address kicked off UVU’s Mental Health Symposium, held Thursday, Jan. 31.

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I chose to include this article in this portfolio because it represents, for me, the most challenging writing assignment during my semester as a news reporter. Due to the weight of the subject, I allowed several days for drafting and revising to make sure the tone was appropriate and the emotion of the participants came through. I was honored that Dr. Doty invited me back to do a story on her study of LDS missionaries coping with returning home early.