Posted by:
intellectualfeminist
(
)
Date: April 23, 2011 07:41PM
@Honestone, if you're asking about the statistic I got, that would have been just over 10 years ago. I was put on Prozac because I had a surprise pregnancy that I wasn't expecting, my marriage was falling apart, and with two other kids who needed to be taken care of, I fell apart myself during that time. As imalive mentioned, you're not supposed to have mental health problems when you're Mormon. It's "embarassing", it means that somehow, something isn't "perfect", and whatever is flawed needs to be covered up as quickly as possible so that the illusion of all being well in Zion is maintained. At least that was the story 10+ years ago. The 1/3 statistic my doctor quoted to me probably included women that were stressed already about being "perfect" for various reasons, but it seemed like the majority of women were turning to drugs for pregnancy/post-partum depression, which can be especially debilitating. With families that need a perfect mother and callings that need a perfect sister, anything that'll keep your mouth shut and functioning with a smile on your face (just ignore the glazed, empty eyes).
Having said that, the vibe in the local ward where I spent most of my time as a Mormon in California is completely different, much more relaxed and less obsessed with "perfection". I've not been on meds for depression since that time, but from what I've heard it sounds like not much has changed, at least not in Utah. Women struggling with feelings of being de-valued, or pregnant and beyond what they can handle, are certainly at risk, but for the males, the Mormon church's vicious homophobia would be a daily challenge for anyone who's gay and living in fear and/or denial. And so long as TSCC continues to push the guilt, fear, and denial meme, there will continue to be depression, shame, and sometimes, sadly.....more suicides.