Rocky Mountain states have a 30 percent higher rate than the rest of the country, he noted. Westerners' independent nature and the availability of guns have something to do with that, he said.

A Brigham Young University study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2002 found that 60 percent of suicides in Utah for 15- to 34-year-olds were committed by male members of the LDS Church.

Nevertheless, the risk of suicide in that age group was lower among active Latter-day Saints than among less active members, nonmembers and American males in general, according to the report.

The BYU researchers concluded that even though Utah is predominantly LDS, there is no evidence to suggest demands and pressures on church members contribute to the state's overall high suicide rate.

LDS Church leaders have long been cautious in their remarks regarding how members should deal with emotional and mental problems, often suggesting spiritual counseling with church leaders, priesthood blessings and personal devotion rather than medication or professional counseling.

Elder Morrison, whose book "Valley of Sorrow: A Layman's Guide to Mental Illness" grew out of his daughter's struggles, and other former LDS general authorities have attempted to bring more openness to the topic. His book includes a chapter on suicide.

Last October, the church's Ensign magazine published an article written by Elder Morrison titled, "Myths About Mental Illness." He makes it clear psychological disorders are not a reflection of sin.

Finding help

Bishops receive no formal training on counseling members with mental health concerns or suicidal thoughts.

"There is a void," said Rick Hawks, a psychologist who organized the Mental Health Resource Foundation in Ogden. "Bishops do the best they can, but they don't have a lot of resources."

About three years ago the foundation, whose board includes several former LDS general authorities, took it upon itself to provide information on suicide and mental illness from a Latter-day Saint perspective. It makes available on the Internet (mentalhealthlibrary.info) materials produced by LDS Family Services that previously were accessible only to mental health professionals.

"Every problem that exists in a mental health clinic now exists in a typical ward," Hawks said. "That's a scary thought."

If a new disease started taking hundreds of young lives, there would be a huge outcry, he said, but "with suicide and teenagers we accept it just like a car accident."

As an institution, the LDS Church has said little about suicide over the years.