On March 5, 2019, experts from across the University of Utah presented insights into anxiety and depression across the lifespan, a challenging social problem, as part of the annual Eric Moerer Memorial Lecture Series. The series honors Eric Moerer, a brilliant young man who showed great promise in his life before losing a private battle with hidden and undiagnosed childhood depression in 1997. In a note he left, 16-year-old Eric Moerer asked that people “Learn from me.”

Mike and Tina Moerer, Eric Moerer’s parents, have honored that request through the series, which provides education and raises awareness about the complexities of anxiety and depression and how to recognize warning signs someone is struggling.

It is an important issue. Utah had the fifth-highest suicide rate in the nation as of 2018. According to the Utah Department of Health, an average of 627 Utahns die from suicide and 4,571 Utahns attempt suicide each year. The number of Utahns experiencing debilitating depression is even higher.

The panelists offered insights into anxiety and depression among young children, men, older adults and what the state is doing to address these issues.

In this video excerpt, Christina Lecluyse, a clinical social worker at the University Counseling Center, talks about what anxiety and depression looks like in college students and resources and treatment available to them.

For more information about services available through the University Counseling Center, visit counselingcenter.utah.edu.