joe wrote on July 16, 2008 01:01 AM: Most Mormons I know are great people. I don't hate Mormons, I just hate what their church does to them.

DJ2 wrote on July 15, 2008 09:02 PM: Well, now, let's see...

Could it be that farmers/ranchers whose livelihoods depend on water, gas, and decent prices for their products have reached a point where there is no chance to even break even? How about the cumulative hits of drought, relentless increases in gas prices, plus perpetual governmental interference in the markets, interference that favors agri-business over small, private farmers/ranchers?

And, how about the myopic, self-righteous, nausiatingly moral superiority of those who want to force their idea of "conserving the planet" by pressuring the poor to use less gas with punitive gas price increases? Perhaps farmers are having a hard time reconciling the notions of putting millions of dollars into a "bike path" for the morally superior to pedal on while they, themselves, are watching their small to non-existant profit margins being eaten up?

It could be that the farmers are unable to come up with an eco-friendly way to plow and harvest their crops. After all, how many bicyclists would one need harnessed to a plow to break up the parched ground in a large field? How many bicyclists in tandem would it require to pedal a load of hay bales into town?

Consider this, water and gas enable farmers to grow and harvest the food for the rest of the nation, and enough left over to export to the hungry of the world, and yes, even for those "organic" veggies so required by the delicate systems of the "healthy". If the farmers are not supported by this nation, they will be unable to feed the nation. You cannot muzzle the ox that treads the corn.

And joe, gee, so you despise Mormons...

joe wrote on July 15, 2008 02:09 PM: It's because of the large Mormon population up north. Utah has the highest depression and suicide rates in the entire country (check out ABCNews.com) and it's residnets have the highest use of anti-depressant medications as well. So it would only make sense that the rates of depression are much higher considering in northern Nevada is nothing more than western Utah. The Mormon lifestyle puts so much pressure and guilt on people that they resort to pills or suicide. In the Mormon church you're taught bad things don't just happen, they happen because the people were bad. You lost your job? Oh, you must have sinned, it's all your fault. Your wife left you? You must be behind in your tithing payments, ect. ect. Mormons will try and deny this, but deep down inside they know it to be true, that's why their so depressed.

Judy wrote on July 15, 2008 12:31 PM: Shannon - you are right. But by the rurals putting this asshat into office has only made it worse. It seems the rurals just don't get it in Nevada.

Please consider this wrote on July 15, 2008 11:27 AM: Although, I believe a percentage of deaths regarding mental health issues can be attributed to suicide due to desperation and depression, I'm convinced most deaths should be attributed to the pharmaceutical schedules patients struggle to maintain.

For instance, a friend diagnosed with bi-polar was sent home to take 7 zanax a day, in addition, to 3 or 4 other meds (w/multiple doses daily), just coherently managing that med schedule "under the influence" is mind boggling. The meds came in a three month supply.

Then, two months later, this patients med prescription (new choices in medication) was changed, new prescriptions were ordered. These new instructions on top of 2 months of 7 zanax a day,plus others, introducing new side effects. None of the old scripts were addressed(throw them out or give them back), not a word.

I am convinced some of these deaths are unintentional by the patient. Heck, some of us can't remember if we took our vitamin pill this morning, much less multiple drugs that alter our minds.

dotcom wrote on July 15, 2008 08:44 AM: The gambling,drugs, sex entertainment and corrupt govt. only takes a person so far then they have nothing to live for when the thrill is gone. And George is right about the M.H. Facilities they give people jobs, no one is properly cared for except maybe they legally prescribe the patients more drugs and they od or get more depressed.

Gossip wrote on July 15, 2008 08:39 AM: The biggest problem in rural areas in the Freaking Gossip that goes on out there.

No one seems able to mind their business.

Justice wrote on July 15, 2008 07:42 AM: Has anyone been to those outlying rural communities in the middle of nowhere? I'd kill myself too from extreme boredom and no Taco Bell.

jl wrote on July 15, 2008 07:32 AM: The underlying cause of all of this is, the excessive heat, compounded by police shootings, abuse and harassment.
Oh we must not forget the constant losses from Casino gaming too.

Nevada is just an overall bad State to live or visit. Just too much corruption.
Too much abuse. Too much stress.
Too much mental illness.

The real question is, whats being done to fix the underlying cause's?

Shannon wrote on July 15, 2008 07:29 AM: Frank and Jim:

I'm sure that severely depressed people don't vote. Your jokes aren't funny and neither is the fact that Nevada's mental health monies have been cut repeatedly ever since Governor Miller and continue to be cut to this day while the population in Nevada continues to climb. Once again, Nevada fails to care.

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