Utah Pirate Radio

This study that was done by BYU some years back is hot topic.  Mormons often boast of Utah’s clean-living, low alcohol usage and large families, and while some of that is true there is also a reality that has become an epidemic in Utah with depression, and teen suicide.

Since these reports started coming out, BYU did a study on suicide related to religious orientation vs. non-religious.  The study indicates that those with a high level of church activity are less likely to commit suicide.  However, even in this skewed study from BYU, LDS with high religious activity are not less likely to commit suicide than other predominate religions with the same level of comitment.

The overall point that I was making is that I don’t believe it is Mormons in Utah who are the ones at the most risk.  It seems to me that the ones at the most risk are gays, people of color and certainly non-Mormons or ex-Mormons in Utah.

With the LDS church supporting forms of prohibition, a unique 3.2% alcohol limit in stores, support for such things as proposition 8, and a number of other political and social injustices based on strict LDS morality doctrines..  I believe that when the LDS force these issues on other people, who are not of a like mind.  Or when they shut out and marginalize dissidents..  THAT is the real issue with suicide and depression in Utah.

I believe also that Utah women are expected to endure a lot as a result of their religion too.  This is something that was spoken about at length via an article at CBSnews, by Dr. Curt Canning who is the head of the Utah Psychiatric Association.

After losing my brother to depression in Utah in 2002, I have been increasingly interested in this Utah phenominon.

Enjoy the video…