That was my first reaction when I read about a survey by Mental Health America that ranked Utah last among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for mental health.
I was stunned because when I think of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the predominant religion in Utah, I picture smiling, healthy people who exercise a lot, don’t smoke or drink alcohol or caffeine, and have strong family ties (as their faith teaches).

You’d think these factors, which add up to better overall health, would also equal a lower rate of depression. But according to the survey,

10.14 percent [of Utahns] experienced a depressive episode in the past year and 14.58 percent experienced serious psychological distress. Among adolescents in Utah, 10.14 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. Individuals in Utah reported having on average 3.27 poor mental health days in the past 30 days.

Of course, not everyone who lives in Utah is Mormon (and I’m as prone to stereotyping as the next person). Mental illness doesn’t care what religion you practice, if any.

The people behind the survey link mental health to greater access to care and better education levels. South Dakota ranked best (maybe its small population skews the results?).

But other factors could play a role: Alaska, with its months of darkness and high rate of addiction among Native Americans in rural areas, understandably has the highest suicide rate.

Maybe my one reader in South Dakota - or some kind residents of the great state of Utah - can shed some light on this mystery.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons)