Epidemic of Mental Illness: Part II: Drug Corps' new early warning initiative

[Hannah Bell]

Tax dollars are being used to fuel the American epidemic of mental illness by promoting the preemptive drugging of persons supposedly at risk of developing mental disorders, to the great benefit of the pharmaceutical industry.

In March 2010, the US Department of Health & Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration Center for Mental Health Services announced $16.5 million in funding for “Mental Health Transformation Grants..." "....FY 2010 funding for MHTG will focus on services for adults with or at-risk for serious mental illnesses,” the agency noted.


****Summary*****

They go on to talk about the model program cited by USDHHSSAMHSA, Robert Wood Johnson (Johnson&Johnson) Foundation's "PIER" Program, which purports to document subtle "early warning signs" of psychosis & prescribe drugs for adolescents & young adults identified as "at risk"..."typically referred by high school guidance counselors, pediatricians" or others who attended PIER trainings.

***end summary****


In a fact sheet posted to “Dispel the Myths,” the PIER website claims that, “Mental disorders are as easy to diagnose as asthma, diabetes, and cancer.” “Treatments are effective 60%-80% of the time, success rates that meet or exceed success rates for cutting edge treatment for heart disease,” the sheet states.

Under costs, it reads: “For now, services provided by PIER staff are supported by grants. However, if certain medications, medical tests, or neurological assessments are ordered, there will be a charge.” Virtually every person entering the PIER program is prescribed antipsychotics, such as Risperdal or Invega, marketed by Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. These prescriptions are off-label because antipsychotics are not FDA approved to “prevent” mental illness in any age group...

http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/06/tracking-the-american-epidemic-of-mental-illness-part-ii/



Am I mistaken in linking this development to the Bush-promoted notion of screening everyone for mental illness?

[Lagomorph]

1. Interesting use of the word "Bush"

to frame an otherwise interesting article.

You seem to have the notion that Bush was some kind of mastermind...

I mean, come on...

[SpiralHawk]

2. George AWOL Bush (R) was a puppetmind...

...and readily, willingly manipulated by MegaBuck CorporoRepublicon interests against America...as the evidence shows definitively.

[Lagomorph]

3. While I agree with you....

...there were plenty of Democrats with their fingers in the pie. (the earmarks are still flowing, too) I feel the need to be smarter than merely partisan in terms of government.

Right now, just about anything we have to do in terms of economic stability would be progressive.

[bobthedrummer]

4. Remebering BUSH/CHENEY contributions to American health care (posted 8-15-09)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6313455

Search Texas Medication Algorithm Project, Jeanne Lenzer, etc.

[lonestarnot]

5. social control and oppression via drugs, overpriced by rulers of the planet.

No surprise.

[bobthedrummer]

6. An "epidemic"-like it's a disease that you can be contaiminated with

:silly: