This is the third in a series of columns featuring findings from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study, which is the first study of lesbians' health that collects information over time. The 450 women in the study were recruited and interviewed first in 2000-'01. The second round of interviews is currently in process. This is the time of year—with the dark and cold weather and the holidays—that many people experience the 'winter blues.' For many people this is not serious; feelings of sadness, aloneness, or depression are temporary and typically lessen as the days get longer and warmer. It can still be difficult though, especially when it feels like the gray days and the cold weather are drying up your social life. One of the best remedies for the winter blues is to get out of the house—go see friends, get fresh air and exercise every day. If the symptoms don't get better after several weeks, or if problems with sleep, appetite, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in sex or other previously enjoyable activities, or feelings of sadness interfere with your day-to-day functioning, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider who understands depression.
Depression is one of the leading mental health problems in the U.S. According to Healthy People 2010, approximately 19 million of the U.S. adult population suffers from depression, and women are about twice as likely as men to experience depression. Further, research studies are beginning to show that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for depression because of the societal stigma regarding homosexuality. Sadly, although depression can be treated, less than a third of adults with depression or other diagnosable mental disorders receive treatment.
Fortunately lesbians appear to be more willing to seek treatment for depression and other mental health concerns. In the CHLEW, about two-thirds of study participants reported lifetime depression, but nearly 80% reported that they had seen a mental healthcare provider at some point in their lives; more than a half had seen a therapist or counselor within the past five years. Some of the reasons for seeking therapy included: depression ࿆%), relationship issues ࿃%), anxiety ླ%), anger ྰ%), and sleep problems ྮ%). Lesbians in the study also appear to have access to social support—one of the most important forms of protection against depression; on average, study participants reported having four people with whom they could talk about problems.
By conducting follow-up interviews with study participants we will be able to learn much more about depression and other important health concerns of lesbians. Research such as the CHLEW would not be possible without the support of the Chicago lesbian community and of individual women like you.
The overall success of the CHLEW will depend largely on our ability to locate and re-interview women who participated in our first round of interviews in 2000-2001.
We have lost contact with 35-50 of the 450 women who were interviewed in the first phase of the study. If you or anyone you know participated in the first phase of the study please call our toll-free number 1-866-933-3459 or contact us via e-mail (chlewstudy@yahoo.com).
No one can replace the original participants (we cannot add lesbians to the study who did not participate in 2000-'01), so it is critically important that we locate each of the missing participants. We very much appreciate your help and look forward to bringing you more interesting and useful information about important health issues in our community.
