Re: FW: NMHA Statement: NMHA Lauds FDA Safety Review of Antidepressants for Youth

February 10, 2004

Believe me Mark they have already seen it. M. Faenza, President and CEO

of NMHA, is a pawn of a $37B machine called big pharma. The FDA wants more time

to study the data while kids are dying. This is what they asked for back in

1991. It's too bad didn't report what really happened at the FDA

meeting. Maybe he fell asleep at the meeting or didn't read any significant

newspaper like the NY Times the next day or both.

Mark Heyrman <mheyrman@...> wrote:

see below

hope you will circulate this to your friends

Makr

NMHA Statement: NMHA Lauds FDA Safety Review of Antidepressants for

Youth

NMHA Statement to the Media

February 2, 2004

NMHA Lauds FDA Safety Review of Antidepressants for Youth

Calls for Attention to Public Health Crisis of Untreated Mental Disorders in

Children

A Statement by M. Faenza, President and CEO of NMHA

Contact:

Cobb

703-797-2588

hcobb@...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 2, 2004) - The National Mental Health Association

commends the Food and Drug Administration for initiating a review today of the

clinical use of antidepressant medications in youth. More scientific research is

needed on the safety of all medications prescribed to children. Traditionally,

very little research has been done on children and medications - including those

commonly used to treat physical illnesses. Yet, there is no question that SSRIs,

like medications used to treat physical disease, are crucial in treating serious

and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

The safety issue is not one to be ignored. However, we cannot let the discussion

about antidepressant medication overshadow the public health crisis of untreated

mental disorders in children. In this nation, only one-third of children needing

mental health treatment receive it, and even fewer receive appropriate care.

Depression alone affects one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents. By

failing to provide appropriate treatments and interventions to children with

mental or emotional disorders, we risk harming their social and educational

development, which can lead to academic failure, substance abuse problems or

involvement in the juvenile justice system. In fact, 80 percent of young people

in the juvenile justice system have a mental or substance abuse disorder,

according to a report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental

Health.

Parents of children with mental health problems face incredible barriers to

getting needed treatment, including fragmented service systems, primary care

providers who lack specialized training, too few pediatric mental health

specialists, insurance obstacles in both public and private plans, a lack of

quality school programs and trained personnel, complex policies obstructing

access to needed treatment, including medications, and - perhaps the worst of

all - stigma.

The stigma surrounding mental illness is an enormous factor limiting families'

ability to obtain effective services. Misinformation dissuades parents from

seeking proven treatments for their children. And stigma and lack of information

contribute to the misperception that we are " drugging our children. " In reality,

children and their families need access to a broad range of services, which for

some children may include medication.

We call on FDA to guard against overreaction. We urge that the needs and best

interests of children not be swept aside by shrill calls - some from those who

deny that mental illness even exists - for sweeping action that would deprive

children of access to treatment and support.

NMHA believes that the approach to antidepressant medications for youth with

major depressive disorder must be measured. We must ensure that treatments for

children are safe and effective through increased research and the sharing of

all clinical findings. And we must be mindful of the many, many children with

mental health needs who benefit greatly from these medications.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest

nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental

illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the

mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and

service.

###

F. Prior jprior@... Chicago, IL 60656-1639

Calendar: http://calendar./j_prior

Cell: 773/230-5825 Fax: 781/459-8592

: 22:36-40

February 10, 2004