Majority of Utahns say they are happy

The largest advocacy group for people with mental illness may rank Utah as the most depressed state in the country, but Utahns are positively giddy about life, according to a new poll by the Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV.

In a first-of-its kind national review released Nov. 28 by Mental Health America, the "level" of depression and actual outcomes for those seeking help to treat it placed Utah 51st out of 51 states and the District of Columbia.

But a heavy majority of Utah residents — 92 percent — told a Morning News/KSL-TV survey that they are "somewhat happy" to "very happy." Only 2 percent of the survey respondents said they are "very" or "mostly" depressed; 5 percent said they are somewhat depressed or unhappy.

Of the 28 people who said they are or have been depressed, an overwhelming majority — 82 percent — sought medical treatment for the condition during the past year.

A survey group of 411 Utah residents was polled Dec. 12-15 by Dan Jones & Associates. The survey group has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

The disparity in the statistics is not easily explained. Utah has been pegged nationally for the healthy lifestyle and longevity of its residents. But it also has been a national leader in the per capita use of prescription anti-depressants and has had one of the highest suicide rates, particularly in the 15 to 21 age group.

Every state will have a number of factors unique to the outcome of the study, said David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America. The purpose of the study isn't to point fingers at any particular state or region. "Regardless of where each state ranks on our mental health scale, there is much room for improvement in every state."

Being happy is a good thing, and Utahns seem to understand that depression is an illness and treatment should be sought out, Shern said.

Some professional and private cultural observers say many Utahns are anxiety-ridden by taking on too much responsibility. The demands of family, work, community and church life can make people feel that their best somehow doesn't measure up.

A Davis County psychologist who did not want his name published said Saturday he sees many clients whose personal level of expectation and level of guilt when it isn't achieved induce anxiety and pressure that overwhelms usual coping methods.