Mitchell Bert Clute

Mitchell Bert Clute, 30, beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2023, in California.

Mitchell was born on August 3, 1993, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In childhood and adolescence, he enjoyed baseball, swim team, football, skateboarding, the PACE gifted and talented program, attending concerts and family camping trips. His passion for sports gradually transitioned to music, where he developed a love for the drums and was a member of his school’s rock band. Mitchell was a very accomplished drummer and spent endless hours creating EDM.

As a young boy, Mitchell was known for his kindness, generosity, and trustworthiness. He was well-liked and devoted to his friends and family. During his early adolescence, Mitchell began to experience mental illness. Over time, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder which brought great difficulty to his life. Despite his generous nature and tenacity, Mitchell was unable to accept help for his illness. The voices he heard were too loud. Schizoaffective disorder is an illness of volatility and unpredictability, changing how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Mitchell tried to manage his state of mind by self-medicating and traveling to different locations in search of internal peace.

Schizoaffective disorder can also include a condition called anosognosia or “lack of insight,” when one’s brain can’t process the fact that their thoughts and moods don’t reflect reality, leading one to believe they are not sick. This, in turn, causes resistance to treatment. Mitchell resisted inpatient and outpatient treatments and never trusted the health profession. He felt hostility towards prescribed medications as he believed nothing was wrong with him.

Mitchell worked as a Direct Support Professional, providing rehabilitation services for as long as he was able. Over time, Mitchell became extremely sick; his illness caused voices, confusion, and chaos in his mind. Mitchell struggled to express the love that once came so easily to him. He had many good moments and many not-so-good moments. After living with schizoaffective disorder for 15 years, on December 14, 2023, Mitchell was finally able to find peace and return to his Father in Heaven.

Mitchell is survived by his parents, Seth and Kristy Clute of Idaho Falls; his grandparents, Bruce and Carol Roberts of Idaho Falls, Dick and Loa Clute of Idaho Falls, and Barbara Gerber of McCammon; his birth mother, Amanda Saunders; his half-siblings, Brianna Saunders, Trinity Smith, and Shawn Smith; and grandparents Mike and Janice Piety. Additionally, he is cherished by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his uncles, Oliver Bruce Roberts and John Judkins, and his grandfather Tracy Poole. A private family celebration of Mitchell’s life has been held.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that in Mitchell’s honor, people take the time to learn about mental health issues, their impact, and how to support those affected. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues to help raise awareness.

Let us all strive to become more educated about mental health. Remember, those with mental health issues deserve kindness and understanding. Their behaviors often stem from cognitive issues in the brain, and they are not always at fault. Lack of awareness is not a choice, nor does it mean the person is in willful denial. Only God can make judgments.