Bush plans to screen whole US population for mental illness
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7454.1458 (Published 17 June 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:1458All rapid responses
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When Ronald Reagan was Governor of California in the 1970s, one of
his notable 'achievements' was the closure of the great majority of the
mental hospitals in this state. The idea was to 'mainstream' the patients
into their communities. Apparently 'mainstream' meant that they would now
live under the bridges of the 'main streams' flowing through the cities
and towns of the state; we suddenly had a homeless population.
What George Bush is proposing is more sophisticated; more along the
lines of the Nazi medical experiments of the 1930s, perhaps. As others
have pointed out, mental illness is a very slippery fish to define; and
once a label has the status of a 'diagnosis', the person issuing that
diagnosis has the power of life and death over the patient.
As an American with four years of experience with this
Administration, to say I am suspicious of this 'program' is the
understatement of the century. Why not a comprehensive health screening -
- physical, mental, dental, visual, etc. -- offered to the population on
an entirely voluntary basis? Then all of Bush's supporters who are really
enthusiastic about it can go for it, and get drugged into insensibility;
which would suit the rest of us just fine.
Lauren J. Sullivan
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
It has been happening in Texas nursing homes much longer. Mental
screening is a requirement. I have learned too much the hard way about the
pharmaceutical cash cow. The problem is that the evil and greedy got away
with it for too long. People observed the over-drugging and put their
blind folds on. They felt big pharma and nuring homes were too cozy with
state officials; and, they were right. Many uncaring human beings simply
said "they just do old people that way, and continued to turn thier backs
as vulnerable citizens were too drugged to eat, drink, speak, or walk. Of-
course, they quickly decline and die. In nursing homes in Texas, a coroner
rarely reviews cause of death. Residnets who have been so drugged that
they appear far worst than they are, will be put on Hospice care, where
ther is no diagnostics or treatments. Mom was starved to death and I was
again restricted from visiting, right after, I questioned her bein on
Hospice with not condition other than being over-drugged with harmful
drugs that cause deadly strokes. Now we have the perfect crime, as the
nurse on duty writes cause of death, and the JP rubber stamps it "natural
causes" and an unscrupulous doctor chooses to over-look all the abuses.
How many have died from Zyprexia, Risperidal, Seroquel? All the atypical
antipsychotics have been exposed for the life threatening side affects.
All are among the atypical drugs that are required with the Texas Medicaql
Algorithm Project. As I fought the horrible abuses of my mother, I found
too much wrong with protective agencies and I suspected they were linked
to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I saw reports of the extreme increase in use
of psychotropic drugs and the extreme cost increases to Medicare and it
all happened under Bush's watch as Governor. I was also interested in why
nursing home administrators who willfully abused their residents had
charges dropped by the Gov. as all cases were dismissed. Who could call
this care or protection? Why would Texas Legislatures pass a bill to allow
gifts and grants to be accepted from the pharmaceutical industry and no
other industry? Why did Texas DHS allow and contribute to the harm of my
mother and others? Well, as I searched for answers for all the lack of
actions and even blatant cover ups, I found out about Allen Jones exposing
the TMAPS Project. Now, it was very clear why Texas A.G., and it's O.I.G.
did nothing about conflicts of interests and frauds. It was very clear why
abuses of chemical and physical restraint had been allowed in Texas for
too long. The questions we must be asking is why more major medias are not
exposing these travesties. One Austin news reporter (Nancy Wilson) was
exposing the drugging of children, and finally she started reporting on
TMAPS. If you read Allen Jones's full report you will know much more needs
to be exposed and it is too bad that did not happen before the
Presidential election. Go to keyetv.com/investigativevideo and view
several of the exposures by Nancy Wilson. It's all about fraud and as my
friend Ila Swan (who knows too much about nursing home crooks) always
said, "just follow the money and you'll find the answers and the
criminals". Now, why did Texas A.G. not file suit against the manufacturer
of Paxil for with holding information about the risks and lack of
effectiveness associated with Paxil. The NY Attorney General filed against
the manufacturer. Why are children and elderly not valued in Texas? The message
is clear, if you are placed in a residential center (whether you are a
child or a vulnerable adult) your life and rights are not valued in Texas.
Bush has turned over sights like DHS and CMS into a joke as he promoted
colaboration efforts instead of due punishments. With tort reform he
gifted the greedy, evil, and dishonest even more. There is no incentive to
provide decent humane care and disgraceful crimes happen everyday, yetr
nobody goes to jail.
As you review keye's video of the death of just one of the child
victims in Texas, take note: If the killing had happened in your home, the
killers would be prosecuted. Nobody went to jail for killing the young
girl or others. The message to be kind and gentle to big political
contributors has gone too far for too long.This clearly shows just how far
government officials will go to protect the killers of vulnerable and
helpless human beings. I learned too much about the "disgraces in care and
protection, the hard way in Texas.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/FinalReport/FullReport-05.htm
It is the first thing said in this Statement of Goals:
For consumers of all ages, early detection, assessment, and linkage with treatment and supports can prevent mental health problems from compounding and poor life outcomes from accumulating. Early intervention can have a significant impact on the lives of children and adults who experience mental health problems.
This is part of the final report from the commission to the president.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
I couldn't believe it when a friend e-mailed this to me! I thought
it was just another hype and was missing information. As I have
investigated this I find it absolutely horrific! I have a step-son who
does have mental illness and I do think there is much that is lacking in
the school systems for his needs. I would like to see more opportunities
for these children to get help they need. Wether or not they can be
integrated into "normal" classrooms is of little concern to me. My step-
son does better in a class of his peers and in a limited environment.
Regular classes just reminds him of his handicaps and frustrates him more.
The most important thing is is he learning and is he lerning to deal with
his handicap and rise above it?
Secondly, I have two young children of my own that I plan on
homeschooling. Will they be subjected to this kind of testing? How do I
know that this testing is any better than that of bygone years where you
were declared mentally ill because you didn't fit into their "box" of
ideals? This is a serious intrusion on my rights to raise my children and
not have Big Brother telling me how to do it. My children see their
Pediatrician on a regular basis. This should suffice. I believe that
only children who actually display behavior that potentially reveals a
problem should have this type of testing done. I also think it should be
done only with parents full informed consent. This is un-American. this
violates my rights.
I am a Republican but this to me is overboard. Presidant Bush, we
are not all the same. Please remember that mental health is subjective.
Many consider being homosexual to be a mental illness that can be cured,
others do not. Who is right? How can that be determined in a medical
setting? It can't!! This reminds me of Germany in the 1930's.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
From the APA newsletter,
http://www.psych.org/join_apa/mb/newsletters/advocacy/AdvNewsJuly2004.ht...
"11. Freedom Commission Roadmap Awaited
"The release of the first iteration of the roadmap to operationalize
the findings of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health is
imminent. We will disseminate the document when it is unveiled. On a
related note, the British Medical Journal, in anticipation of the roll-
out, alleged in a disjointed story that the Bush administration will
announce a plan to screen all Americans for mental disorders and promote
antidepressant and antipsychotic drug use – allegations which we are told
are well beyond the scope of anything the administration has planned and
which seem to stem from a psychiatric survivors group. The BMJ story has
gained some traction in derivative reports on the Internet, though
mainstream media have not touched the story, in part thanks to APA’s work,
for which the administration is appreciative."
Competing interests:
misdiagnosed with bipolar II disorder after reaction to antidepressants; symptoms disappeared only after discontinuing medications
Competing interests: No competing interests
This is in response to the article by Darcy R. Baston, Founder of
Paxilprogress - POM 1LO. Her article is one I could have written as I
agree with her 100%. There are those who seize on our fears and
insecurities for power and control over our lives.
Having had a very hard life I can say that fortunately I have not
been 'talked into' taking any mind drugs for whatever emotional problems I
may have had from the trauma I experienced in my life. A small voice
inside told me to refuse them. I am stronger for it today. I am 60 years
old and don't have any real health problems, am not on any kind of
medication other than an occasional aspirin.
On the other hand two of my children have had problems or so they say
and have been on psychotropic drugs for that. My son is presently in a
group home from a psychiatric hospital and hopefully he will be coming
home in another week. It is hard for me to believe that although my life
was 10 times harder than theirs, I have never felt the need to be on
medication for it. I always survived the problems I faced and became
stronger for it. Of course, mind drugs are promoted and encouraged now
where they were not pushed as strongly when I was younger. I have grown
spiritually and have forgiven those who hurt me in the past. This has
started my healing and this cannot help but help my children, like a
domino effect. There are sure fire ways to overcome or resolve your
problems rather than using drugs. Thank God, I have had the opportunity to
find this out. Drugs could not have shown me how, only delayed the healing
process.
So many people I work with are on mind drugs and it seems to be
accepted more and more. A nursing supervisor who is a friend of mine is
amazed at how many people are on Paxil. She says almost everybody is on
it!
When I obtained disability for my son, I was surprised at how fast
and trouble-free it was to get him on it. A friend of his who has severe
asthma preventing him from working a public job had been trying for 2
years and still was not getting a check. I began to notice that many
people with severe physical disabilities would have to hire lawyers and
wait up to 3 years to get on disability but those with the slightest
mental or emotional problems or those with drug dependencies would be able
to get their disability right away. What is wrong with this picture? Could
it be that those who are dependent on mind drugs (legal or illegal) are
more controllable than those who are not? Does this say anything about why
the push to put people on drugs for any kind of emotional upheaval or
upset in their lives? They then tend to look in the wrong direction for
help. Do I sense a hint of something negative and destructive here that
only pretends to help but in the long run hurts?
As well as making us dependent on the wrong thing,when purchasing
Paxil 20 mg consumer price is $220.27 for 100 tablets, cost of general
active ingredients is $7.60 for a percent markup of 2,898%, for Prozac 20
mg consumer price is $247.47 for 100 tablets, cost of general active
ingredients is $0.11, percent markup of 224,973%, courtesy of the US Dept of Commerce. Is it any wonder that there are Americans
dying because their medications are so costly and they must make the
choice between medicine and food? Doing without either would be hazardous
to their health, eventually their early demise.
I now understand why when I showed just a little emotional upset or
anger at work they wanted to send me to mental health which I denied. They
no doubt wanted to get me on medication, as if I needed it. More than
likely if I were to be put on their medication, I would not be sitting
here typing this letter to you today as I would be too 'dumbed down' to
care. Lets just pray that we Americans don't become reduced to malleable
human machinery so that our whole lives are run at the whim of whomever or
whatever.
Mary Powers
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Sarah Koch's comment misses the point.
Alarming headlines, scaremongering and 'irresponsible comments' are not
necessarily bad in today's society.
We are fed a constant diet of information overload and most of us have
semi-sound- proofed our senses for protection.
Thus, it has become necessary to wake up people, jolt them out of their
lethargy with loud noises, bright lights and vigorous movements, such as
jumping up and down.
Those of us who are active in this regard are not seen as positive
contributors but, rather as stirrers and troublemakers.
Those in power prefer a flock of conformists, a "nation of sheep" and are
willing to use their considerable powers to suppress and subdue us.They
are, however, keenly aware that even docile sheep are capable of rocking a
boat.
Sarah Koch is apparently unaware that the mandatory process of screening
for mental health has already been put in place. Illinois is just the
beginning.
For a grandmother, Sarah appears to still believe in the goodness of all
people including our "rulers".
I don't scold her for that but I wish she would open her eyes to see more
of the real world.
Perhaps she could go to her local schools where she would likely find a
program in place that forces pupils to take Ritalin (an amphetamine) on
the say so of the school personnel or the school nurse.
The scenario of medicating the hoardes of depressed people (now considered
a mental illness) is a scary one, especially when one considers the ties
of George and other policy makers to the makers of these potent pills.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Your article says nothing about any plan to screen anyone against
their will, and certainly does not support the allegation in the title.
Unfortunately, too many people apparently don't read any further than the
headlines; and the title of the article, combined with the insinuations in
the text, constitute irresponsible, downright vicious, fear mongering at
its worst! Shame on you!!
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
I am sure Americans would prefer to seek medical help on their own if
they are feeling a little blue more than usual. If President George W
Bush really cares about the mental health of his people, he could
implement a Comprehensive (no strings attached, no exclusions and/or
exceptions, or limits on prescription drugs, psychological therapy, group
counselling, etc.) National Health Care program where no American is
denied medical, including psychological therapy, services regardless of
their earning power. A National Health Care program is surely a far more
compassionate approach for President Bush to show his desire to help
those Americans whose mental health is fragile or broken.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Nationwide Screening for Teens Already in Place
Anyone with a shred of doubt on all this just type in "TeenScreen"
into a Google search. TeenScreen(R) states that there are only 8 states
left to hop on the bandwagon!
TeenScreen(R) is a "diagnostic psychiatric service". They do a
suicide survey on the kids and then refer them for psychiatric treatment.
The truth is, according to the Center for Disease Control, that
suicides are on the decline. The suicide rate for ages 10 to 19 fell from
6.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 1992 to 4.6 per 100,000 in 2001. But
contrary to the facts, in their dissemination TeenScreen(R) attempts to
create in the media, a suicide hysteria.
Depression, that may lead to suicide is not the only thing they will
be screening for. Based on DSM-IV criteria, there are 18 possible
"diagnoses" that may result, including, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,
Elimination Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and
Selective Mutism, to name a few.
I went through the nightmare when our school district tried to label
my child. Without ANY medical evidence they said, "We would be derelict in
our duty if we didn't see your child get the psychiatric help that is
needed." The school insisted that my child suffered from "Suppressive
Personality Disorder" and possibly ADD/ADHD.
Needless to say, I quietly pulled my child from the school and we
went out of the state. Testing at the new school, by their standards,
found my child to be 3 years behind on most subjects and 4 years behind on
reading! Here was the reason for the "psychiatric diagnosis".
Remedial help to aid in getting my child's education up to par and
many years later I am happy to report that my child is a healthy,
productive, UNLABELLED and married adult who unfortunately also pays taxes
to this insane government who seem bent on labelling/drugging as many of
our children as possible.
After this my children were homeschooled for the most part. Any
schools that they attended were private and fully "screened" as to their
involvement with mental health programs.
This is a situation that we all face and there is no question in my
mind on who stands to gain the most from these mental health screenings.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests