September 7, 2010 - Depression in Utah: Unhappy in "Happy Valley"

3 discussion questions:

1. Is depression a mental illness caused by a biological/genetic chemical imbalance or by disappointment over unmet expectations? Types of depression: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Depression, Post-Partum Depression, Dysthymia, or simple sadness and discouragement, etc.

2. Does Utah culture emphasize expectations of happiness, perfection, and wealth? Are our expectations too high?

3. Is depression in Utah caused by the LDS faith, misinterpretations of religious expectations, toxic perfectionism, real or perceived religious condemnation?

Required readings:

• Utah is one of the happiest states, and one of the most depressed. We have the highest rate of depression but also the lowest rate of alcoholism. Is depression caused by cultural factors or something else?
  Depression in Utah
  Dr. Jack L. Jensen. Dr. Cameron R. John. Haylee Adamson. Utah Valley University. Argosy University . Utah: The Happiest or Most Depressed State?
  
  
• The role of pharmaceuticals in treating depression: Are antidepressants overprescribed for perceived inadequacies rather than actual depression?
  Unhappy In Utah. Study: 'Beehive State' Leads Nation in Anti-Depressant Prescriptions
  by David Hancock, cbsnews.com (June 3, 2002)
  
  
• Many are prescribed antidepressants but there is still a stigma about using them in Utah.
  Two Studies Find Depression Widespread in Utah
  by Russell Goldman (March 7, 2008)
  
  
• How can we implement better mental health resources to treat depression in Utah?
  Utah leads the nation in rates of depression
  by James Thalman, The Deseret Morning News (Nov. 29, 2007)
  

Optional Reading

• Depression in older adults: level of depression correlated with level of church activity.
  Church attendance and new episodes of major depression in a community study of older adults: The Cache county study.
  The Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.