Deseret News | Reader comments: Study: Utah most depressed state in the country

Reader comments
Study: Utah most depressed state in the country

Johnny Utah #9 | 5:23 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Interesting article. Maybe it's from the overwhelming pressure from the cultural majority in this state to live your life a certain way. You'd think they'd be happier since they are the only ones who know the "truth".

Depressed | 5:24 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

For some odd reason I am not surprise that Utah is ranked 51. But just curious, if they ranked states... Isn't there only 50 states or did we invade someone last night?

Happy | 5:34 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I'ts not that they are actually depressed, they just want the drugs. They don't call it "Happy Valley" for nothing!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 5:36 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Last time I checked it was 50 States! But hey maybe because its Utah. I can see it though with the cold weather and a state that is ran by the Church.

DC included | 5:48 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

When states are rated, usually the District of Columbia is included in the rankings. Thus, there are 50 states and 1 district totalling 51.

Justin Wright | 5:53 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

It is no wonder that Utah is ranked as the most depressed state. Is it possibly because all those people in Utah County think that nothing bad can happen in their lives? Could it also be because of the fact that they think they feel guilty for when they do something wrong?

here they come | 6:18 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Come on all lets hear all your anti-mormon banter. By the way--even if utah does rank last why do we have such nice people

Anonymous | 6:18 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I used to think that all the depression came from LDS women thinking that they have to be "SuperMom" and be perfecy, rather than striving for perfection.
Now I see all the people mortgaged to the hilt and know that they might have that gorgeous home on the East Bench, but at what cost?
Wake up Utah!
You do not have to be perfect!
You do not have to live in the sest house in the neighborhood to be an OK person!
Be happy with who you really are and what you really can have or afford, then try to do the right thing.... happiness will follow, peace of mind too!

Yeah right... | 6:23 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

People can't just stop trying to be perfect. Ha, that's hilarious. It really doesn't surprise me that Utah is the most depressed state. Utahns won't talk to people around them. You have to be perfect and you can't do anything wrong or you're damned for life. Oh and the reason we have the nicest people is because everyone is so dang depressed about their own life that they have to do something nice for everyone else every minute so they feel like maybe their life is worth something.

I think... | 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

While people who are not LDS are able to drink and do drugs to help them selves feel better, LDS people don't have that option. So, they either get help from a doctor or stay depressed.

Annoymous | 6:31 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I recently moved to Utah and I've never seen so much competition and people that bleach their hair and teeth and have plastic surgery and look like tan-orexics...I often feel like I'm living with a bunch of "orange county wanna-be's" who think they are wealthier than they really are. I think these people are depressed because they're trying to manipulate their bodies to look a certain way and then they pressure themselves to be the wealthiest and most affluent family on the block, it's all one big competition here and that would weigh anyone down when they constantly feel like they fall short of expectations they put on themselves.

To anonymous | 6:33 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

the state is not ran by the church! What a lie. The church is not even influencing politics! It's those people that are in office. Maybe if Gordon B. Hinckley or if one of the general authorities were in the seat of governor, then maybe I would believe you, but no.

MOJules | 7:04 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I agree with I think, I am not in Utah now, but when I would go through times of feeling depressed I had only two options, others have more, mine were to take pills, which I would not do, or work my way through it. But there are many people who are able to get drunk, slightly drunk or take the edge off with a few sips, or there are those who will use illegal drugs, and get a high off that. There are people who are chemically depressed and need to be on medications, but there are many who are using legal or illegal substances to mask what they are feeling. For those of us who have the ability to control depression with our mind, we should, but we should not judge those who suffer depression due to a chemical imbalance. Dark chocolate is not only tasty, but it is very high in endorphans.

May | 7:08 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I am from upstate N.Y.and I don't believe the people are anymore competitive here than they are anywhere else. TV has opened the world to everyone, and this influence is everywhere. I find the Mormons a very kind and good people.
Where I come from, it's lets slam the Catholic Church. Here it is lets slam the Mormons. I think the people who feel this way should live somewhere else for a little while.

Response to May | 7:26 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Amen. People who live in Utah and bash it usually haven't lived out of the state or if they have, it wasn't very long. I lived in Hawaii for two years before moving back last year and I was honestly embarassed with how much disdain some Utahns themselves hold for themselves. It was hard for me to adjust coming back from Hawaii to the mainland, let alone Utah, but now that I've been back for over a year, I can see that it isn't so bad of a place that some make it out to be. The LDS church is not some big evil theocratic entity trying to suck you in until you've lost your will. Personally, most people won't know what diversity is until they live for several months in places like Hawaii or South Florida. As for depression, I'm sure since most of the populace abstains from the common element of alcohol to cope with depression, this shouldn't come as a surpise. Oh, and mormons are pretty cool people and are just as imperfect as many people.

Agree with ... I Think | 7:48 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

The entire article is not yet available. So far, my understanding is that Utah ranks #51 for diagnosed depression/use of anti-depressants. (This distinction has not changed in the past fifteen years.) Most persons suffering from clinical depression self-medicate. They use alcohol to "numb the pain." They use street drugs to "get high." Some drink several cola drinks a day for a "buzz" or carry a cup of coffee to "stay awake."

The majority of latter-day saints do not use these substances at all. Those suffering from depression must consult with their doctors and rely on prescription medication, resulting in a blip in the statistics. Another factor may be the way latter-day saints take care of one another. Bishops, home teachers, and visiting teachers are available to individuals and families in distress. Such persons are likely to encourage one who is depressed to visit their physician, again creating a blip in the stats.

To me, the purpose of the article is education and awareness of a need for more mental health services. Rank order is unimportant to that purpose.

Josh | 7:52 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

The article and a good many of the comments are depressing.

kary | 8:36 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

i'm active lds who grew up in utah and now live in ca. i've lived here nearly 20 years and found it to be a refreshing cultural change from the church in utah. there women had an unspoken code of what constituted a "good" wife and mother. things like ironing undies and t shirts or fixing hair like prom night every day. worrying waaaaay too much about what the neighbors thought and getting depressed if they didn't measure up. these attitudes are NOT coming from the pulpit, just in people's minds. here in ca it is so much nicer just to be yourself and not worry if you don't like to quilt or make homemade bread.

Alcohol? | 8:42 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

The most depressing man I knew was an alcoholic brother in law...alcohol is no solution, not for the alcoholics I have known. To be in charge of ones senses, and know where you came from, why your are here, and what the prospects are for the next life are wonderful anti depressants. Try it out, you who like to dull your senses with drugs and alcohol, the answers to these questions are all around you in Utah. Yes, those who know better but do not practice and seek it, that could be a source of depression. Try living your religion and see it that helps.

Anonymous | 8:57 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

This is depressing.

Jerry Simmonds | 9:05 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

No kidding! Doing time, on Mormon drive is very depressing.

Carrie | 9:41 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Now I know why the Legislature are so messed up.

J. Council | 9:48 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

My experience with many Utah people was not at all depressing. For example, I came to appreciate many of the people in the medical professions in Utah as some of the most kindest and compassionate people I'd ever met during almost 30 odd years.

In 1984 while I was a patient in the ICU for several days at LDS hospital after being delivered via life flight from Kearns, the practicing physician team provided pulmonary therapy in such a compassionate manner not withstanding my critical condition.

Clearly, there was nothing depressing about that pulmonary medicine team during the time I was hospitalized there in '84.

I shall never forget that team of practicing physicians and ICU support team.

anonymous | 10:22 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

This is not about the church and it is not about not being a member of the church. Whatever the reason, we can all agree what a huge problem this is. Arguing about what is to blame is not going to solve anything. I had a friend who was denied mental health services because she didn't have insurance. She later killed herself. Lets stop pointing fingers and see what we can do to help those who need it. Depression is just as much a disease as diabetes. It should be treated that way.

Bambino | 11:41 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I am not surprised, I mean it is a state full of emo's, these lil suicidal white kids that want to be all emotional for show.

J.R. | 9:21 a.m. Nov. 29, 2007

I'm new to this state and have found there is a very strong pressure to conform here. Maybe that has something to do with it.

I do find it interesting that the 2 states with the largest percentage of their populations that are LDS are both in the bottom 10 (UT & ID). However, I think that can only be one of the factors. What the others are I haven't a clue.

This is a beautiful place and for the most part I like it here. I do wish people would be a lot less judgemental. Diversity can be a good thing :)

Glass Cat | 9:39 a.m. Nov. 29, 2007

Oh c'mon, now, people, really! READ the first line - you have it all wrong! It reads "actual outcomes for THOSE SEEKING HELP FOR IT ranks Utah 51st on a list of 51". All that means is that Utah is the state with the MOST PEOPLE SEEKING HELP for mental illness. Duh! The other states may be ranking lower in this case, but higher for drug use/alcolism/spouse-child abuse etc because THOSE people AREN'T seeking help!

The article is poorly written and very misleading.

Cool Utah Person | 10:59 a.m. Nov. 29, 2007

You Utah bashers are just jealous that you don't live in Utah too.

susan | 11:11 a.m. Nov. 30, 2007

I am not from Utah but have lived here for some years. I cannot believe the age of the so called "mothers" in this state. Eighteen, nineteen, let's be realistic, how can a child be a mother. Numerous times I have seen so called moms at the most 25 yrs. old with three, four and five children. Let's be realistic folks, no wonder they are depressed!!!!!
Unfortunately, many of these young girls have not had the opportunity to become independent. They leave the nest to this young boy who is now called her husband. She immediately becomes pregnant, again and again. Should something happen such as divorce or death she is left with no skills to support herself. With a future such as this, I too would be depressed!

my two cents | 7:39 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

There are very good arguments out there. I agree that those women who marry very young don't know what they are getting into. I recently moved away from Utah, and yes I am an LDS, and my two cents is people in Utah think there is a bubble around them. They don't think there is an outside world. And the comment about how can it be the most depressing when there are such nice people.....wow....come to Washington, you will see what NICE people really are like. I just came back from spending Thanksgiving in Utah and the difference is AMAZING. People actually SMILE at me. That was something I had to get used to moving here. Try visiting another state, you'll see why Utah is the most depressed (and depressing) state. (and my comment has NOTHING to do with being LDS, so try telling me I'm a mormon basher)

Why? | 3:18 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008

We live in the most beautiful place on earth - is supposed to be "Life Elevated!" So why is everyone so depressed and on drugs? Let's try living an elevated life w/o the drugs!

joeschmoe | 2:53 p.m. March 20, 2008

My personal opinion is it has little to do with alcohol and drugs and more to do with the lifestyles and the weather. The weather is always changing here and I think my mood changes with it so easily like I have seasonal affective disorder. You know that saying "If you don't like the weather now just wait 5 minutes" well the same goes for peoples mood swings.

Depressed Ex Alcoholic | 3:32 p.m. April 30, 2008

I am not originally from Utah or LDS but now live in Utah and am LDS .I have had depression the majority of my life and for years masked it with alcohol. --OTHER PEOPLE DON'T SEEK HELP OUTSIDE THE BREWERY-- it wasn't until I became LDS and stopped drinking I realized how screwed up I'd always been and all the signs of depression were there but I was blacking it out each night to cope. Now I get legitimate help and am a traceable statistic. It's not where you live but how.

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