Comments on: depressed Mormons?

By: Tom Clark

Tom Clark — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:22:54 +0000

It’s fascinating watching mormons getting all worked about anything at all that doesn’t toe the same line they’re toeing. Their hystrionics don’t change the facts though and with Utah having a 70% mormon population you cannot escape the reality that somewhere along the way mormonism is a factor in everything that goes on in their state.

It’s a smorgasbord mentality though – the things that are flattering are because of mormonism and the things that aren’t flattering have nothing to do with it. How convenient.

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By: MormonZero

MormonZero — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:31:45 +0000

Yes, that would be nice to have more credible data. Unfortunately all I have is my and others observations.

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By: profxm

profxm — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:07:12 +0000

Hi MormonZero… Yeah, I think this is often the explanation given – the expectations are unrealistic. The problem though – we need good, authoritative research to confirm these assertions. That would be a good study for someone to do.

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By: MormonZero

MormonZero — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Okay…I may be way off the mark but I strongly believe that the Mormon depression problem has a lot to do with gender and identity.

First off I want to point out that there are many reasons why people may battle depression but my point is that “gender identity” in the church only heightens the problem.

What I see is this. Mormon women are receiving the two different views of what a woman should do with her life; the “world” view and the “Mormon” view. This can create both obvious and subtle internal conflicts. Then as a young woman grows up she is only taught to stay sexually clean, get married, and have babies. Not only do these teachings do a 180 on the world view but it does not help a young woman feel any sense of individuality; only conformity. If she goes in any direction contrary to the message she has been indoctrinated with she insinctively reacts with emotions such as guilt, shame, and depression. But then if she does manage to do exactly what she was supposed to do she then gets to here talks like the one by Sister Beck during the most recent General Conference. A Mormon woman is then constantly barraged with this message of how naturally good, pure, clean, and righteous a “woman” is . (I believe this message is partially portrayed in the church in order to compensate for the fact that women do not get the priesthood so the leaders purposely place women on a pedestal of righteousness above men) Unfortunately this is setting up women for unrealistic portrayals and expectations of themselves. (I see it similar to what all these “photoshopped” cover models are doing to women and their self and body imaage). This all helps fuel the fire of depression.

With the men the problem is similar. But reversed. I will try to simplify this better because I am taking up way too much space. Essentially men are being presented with no expectations and the idea that women are more righteous. But you have the priesthood they tell ya; because you need it more in order to become more “womanlike” with more compassion, tenderheartedness, etc. Men are also not encouraged to be men. Example of this would be to look at nearly any ward calendar. How many activities are there for the youth and for the women. The men? Unless you play church ball or are into scouting you don’t have much to do as a Mormon guy. In the church women get together to do something fun or interesting and it is called “enrichment” but for men who get together to watch a basketball game it is considered a waste of time but that is just what guys do type of thing. Maybe I exaggerated a bit here but I think I am not that far off.

What is happening is men and women no longer relate to their gender/sex outside of the church without the guilt set on by the church’s “gender indoctrinations.”

Did I make any sense at all? I don’t think this is 100% of the reason but I believe this has a lot to do with it.

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By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:55:18 +0000

To PsychMan:

“Utah Depression” plus “Utah Suicide”……
….is “Clinical” Depression.

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By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:48:47 +0000

The rest of Utah in depression denial are not sold on it either. Especially, the apologists.
The study was not JUST founded on on Anti-Depressant dispensing volume in Utah. That’s just sustaining note in their death march.

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By: profxm

profxm — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:53:22 +0000

60 Minutes had a story on this a few weeks ago and looked quite closely at Denmark addressing similar issues as those you described, Nate. Seems like that’s what the current scientific consensus is.

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By: Nate Housley

Nate Housley — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:26:09 +0000

This reminds me of a recent book review I read in the New York Times which investigates a study that placed the US as the 23rd happiest nation. The author’s take was that our constant emphasis on happiness and prosperity was making us anxious and unfulfilled. Similarly, when “happiness” is such a cultural ideal as it is in Utah and when it’s even considered vaguely sinful to not be grinning all day, it can lead one to questioning one’s happiness, not to mention feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, etc. In New York on the other hand, everyone just expects to be miserable.

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By: katyjane

katyjane — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:16:28 +0000

Seth–No. The studies didn’t look at gender. Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men though, nationally.

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By: Seth R.

Seth R. — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:17:01 +0000

Point of clarification – did the study in question claim that these Utah depression rates are a mostly female problem?

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