Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Overprescribing Prompted Warning on Antidepressants
New York Times article - "The government's warning on Monday that people newly taking antidepressants can become suicidal and must be closely monitored grew at least in part from a concern that the drugs were being handed out too freely and without enough follow-up, especially in children and teenagers.Advertisement Dr. Wayne K. Goodman, chairman of psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine and a member of an expert panel that advised the Food and Drug Administration, said, 'I think many physicians, and particularly nonpsychiatrists, have been lulled into the notion that these drugs are safe.' ... Yesterday many doctors acknowledged that the new warning was sound advice and yet said they worried it might discourage doctors and patients from treating depression."  
  

More family doctors prescribe antipsychotic drugs
Wall Street Journal story in the SFGate (California) - "The Food and Drug Administration's warning on antidepressants this week is likely to add fuel to a separate debate about an even more powerful class of mental-health drugs. A growing number of general physicians are now prescribing potent drugs called atypical antipsychotics. The drugs are approved for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. General physicians are also prescribing the drugs for people with persistent depression, elderly patients with dementia, and children with severe behavioral problems..."  
  

Mental health advocates want more funding (Connecticut)
WFSB.com story - "Advocates for mental health treatment on Tuesday lobbied the legislature for more money. Two days before state lawmakers draft a budget remaking Gov. John G. Rowland's $14.2 billion spending plan, ralliers urged legislators to make better use of federal revenue from Medicaid, fund housing for mental health patients, promote early intervention and expand community services..."  
  

Counties seek mental health care solutions (Montana)
Billings Gazette story - "Counties don't have adequate resources to treat the mentally ill and they end up inappropriately sent to jail, said Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County Commissioner. ... While Kennedy and other county commissioners want to further develop the state's community mental health centers - over which they have much control - lawmakers passed legislation that would essentially turn mental health providers over to consumers and the free market. Senate President Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, sponsored Senate Bill 370, which lets market forces dictate which agencies provide mental health services, and where they provide services. His bill also gives consumers and their families more of a say in the services they receive. "  
  

Long-debated mental health bill gets OK (Nebraska)
Daily Nebraskan story - "For a bill that initially faced considerable negative publicity and reluctance from senators, the mental health reform bill advanced relatively quickly on Tuesday, sailing through to select file after just two sessions of debate. LB1083, which was introduced by Sen. Jim Jensen of Omaha at the request of Gov. Mike Johanns, would close two of Nebraska's three regional mental health facilities in favor of community-based services. A last-minute deal Tuesday morning allayed fears on the part of many senators who were concerned that the plan would close down the centers before adequate alternative services were in place..."  
  

Harvard Mental Health Letter Reports Ways to Counter Domestic Violence
PR Newswire press release at Yahoo - "Physicians and mental health professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about the needs of victims of domestic violence. The April issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter reports that an average of one million women are physically and mentally abused annually by a current or former intimate partner. Studies show the majority of these women are single, separated, poor, or have limited education." Please note that the Harvard Mental Health Letter is only available on a subscription basis.