Is Utah’s elevation making me depressed?

TW: Mention of suicide.

You may have heard that the high elevation here in the rocky mountains causes depression. Is there any truth to that?

Well, at higher elevations, the air is “thinner.” Oxygen molecules experience less pressure and they spread out. Have you ever come back to Utah after a trip and had your shampoo or lotion container pop when you open it at your home elevation? If the pressure is lower here than the last place you sealed the bottle, the air inside will expand and cause a mini explosion.

With less air pressure, your body has a harder time oxygenating your blood. If you live here for a while, your body will get used to it, but everyone is different and some people cope better than others. Short-term tourists, especially at ski resorts, can experience a mild altitude sickness called acute mountain sickness.

Your brain needs lots of oxygen and some researchers think high elevation dwellers might suffer from hypoxia (not enough oxygen to the brain) which can be damaging to your mental health. Multiple studies have discovered that there is a definite correlation between suicide rates and higher elevation living. However, it’s hard to compare communities. There are important differences in culture, healthcare access, gun ownership, rural/urban living, community connection, and other demographics. This link is still being studied.

In the US, the highest elevation towns are mainly in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. And although we think of Utah as a high elevation state, there are many places in the world where people live at much higher elevations. Our population centers like Provo (4,551ft) and Salt Lake (4,226ft) actually rank around medium elevation when it comes to scientific studies about elevation and health. Find your elevation here!

So, what’s the truth? There is not a clear cut answer at this time.

Some studies show there is a connection, and researchers have ideas about why (hypoxia), but we can’t say for sure if high elevation is causing depression. What we can do is focus on protective factors! And on the bright side, being active in mountainous regions can have a positive mental health benefit. So try to enjoy the unique nature the mountains bring!

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