Mormonism and Depression, Suicide, and Medication: A Larger Context

In recent years, Mormonism has been doing much better when talking about depression and mental health struggles, helping destigmatize them and encouraging its members to seek assistance. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's October 2013 General Conference address, "Like a Broken Vessel" spoke candidly about these topics, and the church's mental health section at LDS.org/mentalhealth is likewise open-hearted about depression and mental health illnesses, and also teaches us about ways we can compassionately interact with those in our families, wards, and circle of contacts who grapple with them. In non-official LDS circles, the LoveLoud Festival (now a month away from its second event) has raised awareness about the suicide crisis among Utah teens and young adults, especially those who identify as LGBT+. LoveLoud's founder, LDS rock star Dan Reynolds of the band Imagine Dragons, has just this past week been featured in a full-length documentary, Believer (began June 25th on HBO) about his coming to awareness about the struggles of LGBT Mormons, and his energetic work in conceiving and organizing the first festival. We are grateful for both of these great developments. Just as with every medical issue, though, it's important to explore as fully as we can the literature and scientific research surrounding it. And in the case of depression and suicide, as well as several other mental health issues, the findings don't present as clean a picture as most of us have about the efficacy and advisability of even short-time use of anti-depressants, especially among teens and young adults, as well as about long-term benefits for most everyone. The predominant treatment program for depression today is drug therapy (and LDS literature suggests it is in step with this approach), but many researchers are asking if that should be the case.  This episode features two important voices who are asking questions like this: Robert Whitaker, a celebrated journalist and author who focuses on science and medicine, and Jacob Hess, Ph.D., a mental health researcher and advocate for better discussions about topics about important questions such as "Should I begin taking anti-depressants?" Neither Bob nor Jared are anti- anti-depressants so much as pro- "informed consent." In this discussion, they overview much of the literature about and offer background into the paradigm shift that took place some thirty years ago when anti-depressant use began to soar, and they compare it with actual findings about both short- and long-term outcomes. They also share information about many factors that contribute to depression, anxiety, and several other mental health challenges and what research is showing about effective therapies that help with those either in combination with medication or without it.  The story they tell is fascinating, as well as difficult to hear but also hopeful. We hope you will pay close attention to this episode and share it with those you know who could benefit from hearing a wider view on today's understanding of the causes of many  mental health struggles and prevailing treatment approaches.