To the Editor…
Two articles that were
published in the August issue were written by the Citizen’s
Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The Church of Scientology funds
CCHR. Neither group believes that mental illnesses are biological.
They believe that psychiatry kills and that the pharmaceutical
industry has fabricated this illness in order to get rich. Readers
might remember that Tom Cruise, a Scientologist, recently went after
Brooke Shields for taking medication for her post-partum depression.
The first article misrepresented the FDA’s public health advisory
for anti-depressants. CCHR used inflammatory language such as “the
blood of these deceased is on psychiatry’s hands.” Additionally,
they infer that since there is no blood test or x-ray to confirm
depression that it does not exist. NAMI finds these comments outrageous
and believes they have no place in Access Press.
For the record, the FDA reported that some studies suggest there
may be an increased risk for suicidal behavior in adults who are
being treated with antidepressant medications. They have started
to collect data to determine if there is in a fact a risk for suicide
connected with these types of medications. It will take a year or
more to complete the review. What the FDA is stating is that:
• Adults being treated with antidepressant medications, particularly
those being treated for depression should be watched closely for worsening
of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior. Close
watching may be especially important early in treatment, or when the
dose is changed, either increased or decreased.
• Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressant
drugs, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should
be evaluated by their health care professional.
The FDA did not state that people should stop taking the medication.
Many people are treated successfully with anti-depressants and therapy.
Before taking any medication people should understand the side effects.
But people should also note that suicide is often the result of untreated
mental illness—not treated mental illness.
The second article claimed a victory for children and parents. This
new law prohibits schools from forcing parents to give their children
medications. It should be noted that this was never introduced as
a bill, it was a stealth amendment done purposely so that there would
not be public discussion. Parents know they can’t be forced
by the school to give their child medication—you have to get
a prescription from a doctor (what school has a doctor on staff),
pay for it and actually give it to your child. Schools can’t
and don’t do that.
Their bill may actually silence schools from sharing information.
Parents and schools need to work together for children to be successful.
That means sharing concerns about behavior, social relationships,
and educational progress. Children with an emerging mental health
concern often exhibit different behaviors at school and at home.
That’s why we need everyone talking in order to get a full
picture of the child.
Why is it important to identify mental health concerns early? Because
early intervention is more effective. Children who have a serious
mental illness are more likely not to be successful or graduate from
school. Children who drop out of school are more likely to end up
in the juvenile justice system. Intervening early also means that
less intensive treatment—including medication—can be
used.
NAMI has worked tirelessly
to improve the educational approaches used for students who have
a mental illness, to educate teachers about the impact of mental
illness on learning and behavior and to integrate mental health services
into the school. NAMI has always advocated that parents be the “driver” and that they
not be blamed or shamed or excluded from figuring out how to help
their child. NAMI has also made it clear that families should be
informed about all the treatment options available—many of
which do not include medication. Access Press should be printing
accurate information about mental illness. It does a disservice to
its readers to do otherwise.
Read Access Press’ response to
this letter.
