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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mcp on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:45
*ACTION NEEDED!*
*TELL SENATE TO "JUST SAY NO!" TO UNIVERSAL *
*PSYCHIATRIC SCREENING AND DRUGGING CHILDREN*
*---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------*· *Senate meets in lame duck session next week to pass appropriations bill.*
· *Bill includes funding for universal mental health screening &
recommendations for treating children with psychotropic drugs.*· *Contact your Senators this week and tell them to withdraw this funding.*
· *Click-through to send letter to your Senators in less than a minute.
<http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;*· *Physicians: Print out flyer for your patients!
<http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;*· *Please forward this message to everyone.*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------The Senate will re-convene next week in a lame duck session with the
sole purpose of passing an omnibus appropriations bill - work left
incomplete before the elections.Included in the current version of the appropriations bill is funding
for grants to implement universal mental health screening for almost 60
million children, pregnant women, and adults through schools and
pre-schools.The bill would fund initiatives of the "New Freedom Commission on Mental
Health," including a program designed to subject every school age child
in this country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment.The House has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the scheme,
and the Senate wants to bump it up to $44 million.This is a dangerous scheme that will heap even more coercive pressure on
parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous side effects.
Further, even the government's own task force has concluded that mental
health screening does little to prevent suicide.*/Tell the Senate leadership to remove the funding for grants to
implement the recommendations of the New Freedom Commission in Mental
Health from the omnibus appropriations bill. /*/// /
*/Take action now and tell the Senate not to fund any programs that call
for universal mental health screening of our children./** *
*Here's how to help:*
*_EVERYONE:_*
*__*
We now have an easy, one-step way for everyone to send a letter to their
Senators, cour*tesy of the **Health** **Action** **Center** run by
"Citizens for Health."*All you need to do is click here.
<http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;Enter your name and address, and a letter will automatically be sent to
yourSenators, with your signature. It takes about one minute.
*_DOCTORS & HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS_*_:_
If you are a doctor, CLICK HERE
<http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>to download a
one-page flyer to copy and distribute at your office and hospital
starting today!Association of American Physicians & Surgeons
1601 Tucson Blvd. Suite 9
Tucson, AZ 85716
(800) 635-1196
(520) 325-4230 Fax
www.aapsonline.org
Posted by linkadge on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:46
In reply to Drugging children?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 13:52:18
Posted by mcp on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:46
In reply to some children need medications (nm), posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 14:28:56
I am a teacher and parents often don't have a choice and this measure would only make that more difficult. The government shouldn't be deciding. I am not refuting that some children need medication. I am just saying there needs to be more freedom as it relates to the choice. That is all.
Posted by linkadge on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:48
In reply to But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 16:22:56
I know kids who killed themselves because their parents refused to believe that their kid was depressed, and would not hear of a child taking drugs for depression.
I certainly think parents should have a choice if the condition is borderline. If a parent is refusing to have a child properly treated then I think the government should step in.
My cousin had epilepsy, and the parents would not treat it based on the notion that it was demonic possetion. 15 seizures later, (including many life threatening grand-mal seizures) the parents findally decided to do something.
If he was medicated properly from the beginning, his life wouldn't have been endangered like it was.
I'm in support of the right decisions being made, not who makes them.
Linkadge
Posted by mcp on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:49
In reply to Re: But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 18:37:40
On general principle I agree with just about everything you just said. One problem though. The government trying to pass this legislation and the government that would enforce it is swimming in money from the pharmaceutical industry and is in my opinion therefore unqualified to make decisions that truly put the child first. Strictly in terms of my personal experience as a teacher, I have seem too many situations where children are forced to go on drugs for ADD and ADHD when a simple overhaul of their nutritional intake could fix the problem. Nevertheless, I still agree with what you said. I just don't see where this government is qualified to do so.
> I know kids who killed themselves because their parents refused to believe that their kid was depressed, and would not hear of a child taking drugs for depression.
>
> I certainly think parents should have a choice if the condition is borderline. If a parent is refusing to have a child properly treated then I think the government should step in.
>
> My cousin had epilepsy, and the parents would not treat it based on the notion that it was demonic possetion. 15 seizures later, (including many life threatening grand-mal seizures) the parents findally decided to do something.
>
> If he was medicated properly from the beginning, his life wouldn't have been endangered like it was.
>
> I'm in support of the right decisions being made, not who makes them.
>
>
>
> Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:49
In reply to Re: But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 19:32:44
I agree with you as well with what you've said.
Linkadge
Posted by Peddidle on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:50
In reply to Re: But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 20:58:47
I don't think this is the place for asking people to sign petitions.
In addition, I have personal feelings towards this because I was put on drugs as a kid--I was 14 (I am 19 now). I have mixed feelings about it, but regardless, I don't feel it is appropriate for you to ask people on this board to sign a petition.
Posted by yznhymer on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:51
In reply to Drugging children?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 13:52:18
> *ACTION NEEDED!*
>
> *TELL SENATE TO "JUST SAY NO!" TO UNIVERSAL *
>
> *PSYCHIATRIC SCREENING AND DRUGGING CHILDREN*
>
> *---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -------------------------------------------------*
>
> · *Senate meets in lame duck session next week to pass appropriations bill.*
>
> · *Bill includes funding for universal mental health screening &
> recommendations for treating children with psychotropic drugs.*
>
> · *Contact your Senators this week and tell them to withdraw this funding.*
>
> · *Click-through to send letter to your Senators in less than a minute.
> <http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;*
>
> · *Physicians: Print out flyer for your patients!
> <http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;*
>
> · *Please forward this message to everyone.*
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> The Senate will re-convene next week in a lame duck session with the
> sole purpose of passing an omnibus appropriations bill - work left
> incomplete before the elections.
>
> Included in the current version of the appropriations bill is funding
> for grants to implement universal mental health screening for almost 60
> million children, pregnant women, and adults through schools and
> pre-schools.
>
> The bill would fund initiatives of the "New Freedom Commission on Mental
> Health," including a program designed to subject every school age child
> in this country to psychological testing and recommendations for treatment.
>
> The House has already voted to appropriate $20 million for the scheme,
> and the Senate wants to bump it up to $44 million.
>
> This is a dangerous scheme that will heap even more coercive pressure on
> parents to medicate children with potentially dangerous side effects.
> Further, even the government's own task force has concluded that mental
> health screening does little to prevent suicide.
>
> */Tell the Senate leadership to remove the funding for grants to
> implement the recommendations of the New Freedom Commission in Mental
> Health from the omnibus appropriations bill. /*//
>
> / /
>
> */Take action now and tell the Senate not to fund any programs that call
> for universal mental health screening of our children./*
>
> * *
>
> *Here's how to help:*
>
> *_EVERYONE:_*
>
> *__*
>
> We now have an easy, one-step way for everyone to send a letter to their
> Senators, cour*tesy of the **Health** **Action** **Center** run by
> "Citizens for Health."*
>
> All you need to do is click here.
> <http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>;
>
> Enter your name and address, and a letter will automatically be sent to
> your
>
> Senators, with your signature. It takes about one minute.
>
> *_DOCTORS & HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS_*_:_
>
> If you are a doctor, CLICK HERE
> <to" target="_blank">http://www.aapsonline.org/alerts/mhalertlinks.htm>to download a
> one-page flyer to copy and distribute at your office and hospital
> starting today!
>
> Association of American Physicians & Surgeons
>
> 1601 Tucson Blvd. Suite 9
>
> Tucson, AZ 85716
>
> (800) 635-1196
>
> (520) 325-4230 Fax
>
> www.aapsonline.orgI question taking this post at face value. If you check out the aapsonline.org website... the group behind the campaign to stop this provision... you will find that they have a pretty right wing ideology. Opposing the right to universal health care, and asserting that human life begins at conception (i.e. antiabortion) are two positions contained in their resolutions. You may or may not agree with them.
The point I want to make is that I wouldn't take this groups assertions about this provision as objective or even accurate. In fact, the notion that this measure would result in mandatory mental health medication for children sounds preposterous on its face, and smacks of the kind of distortion put out by ideological groups all too often lately. I suspect the measure probably provides funds for mental health screening of children and makes badly needed mental health resources available for children currently without access to them. This is a far cry from how the measure is described here. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd do my own research on this measure before taking this group's word for what it does.
Posted by mcp on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:51
In reply to I question taking this at face value, posted by yznhymer on November 11, 2004, at 23:31:53
You assert that there is a right-wing ideology behind the website, yet the driving force behind this bill are the Republicans. It doesn't jive and I think you are jumping to a few to many conclusions without any basis in fact.
It is a fact that the pharmacuetical industry yields much too much power in DC and it is also a fact that they are staunchly in support of this bill. Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions as well, but I think mine are more grounded in reality.
As far as putting petitions on this site. This is an open forum. If you don't like it, move along and choose to ignore it. The petition directly relates to the nature of this board.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:52
In reply to Interesting, posted by mcp on November 12, 2004, at 3:08:15
> You assert that there is a right-wing ideology behind the website, yet the driving force behind this bill are the Republicans. It doesn't jive and I think you are jumping to a few to many conclusions without any basis in fact.
I think yznhymer was right on the money.
Although it is inappropriate to conclude that all positions put forth by this physicans' group are biased (even the Nazis did have some good ideas), one needs to go back to the primary source material to gather more information. Here is one section of the Report to the President, that addresses the concerns you raised:
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/FinalReport/FullReport-05.htm
There is no mention of mandatory treatment of any kind. The only thing they're trying to make mandatory is to make mental health care equally available to all citizens. Mental health issues are lifespan development issues. Early intervention is a darn good idea.
Lar
Posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:46:53
In reply to Drugging children?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 13:52:18
I'm 24 years old. When i was 23 i was diagnosed with ADHD. I've always wondered what was wrong with me. And i'm so ANGRY not being diagnosed when i was 6 years old and put on stimulants. New research shows that kids treated with stimulants that have ADHD long-term get changes in their brain so that the brain looks more or less exactly the same as a person without ADHD. This "COULD" mean that stimulants are a form of treatment since thoose people can stop medicating as young adults. Parents that really care for their kids would put them on meds. My life is fucked up cause i wasn't put on meds until now. And you can't even imagine how much shit i'm going through now. Seing my friends becoming lawyers while i'm still strugling at the university with my anxiety that has built up during all years people called me lazy when i really couldn't focus how hard i tried. So i say dont "DRUG" children medicate them that needs it. I needed it. I'm so angry i wasn't put on speed when i was 6.
Posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:50:06
In reply to Re: Drug Children!, posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:42:58
oh, and another thing! People saying that simple nutrients will fix this problem are SO wrong. You dont have a clue what you are talking about. You've just been brainwashed by some TV-SHOP scam lite b'calm or whatever they call that shit.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 12, 2004, at 7:52:12
In reply to Re: Drug Children!, posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:42:58
> My life is f[*]cked up cause i wasn't put on meds until now. And you can't even imagine how much sh[*]t i'm going through now.
I'm sorry it's rough for you, but please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:54:11
In reply to Re: please be civil » reefer, posted by Dr. Bob on November 12, 2004, at 7:52:12
sorry
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 12, 2004, at 8:49:15
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:54:11
Posted by Susan47 on November 12, 2004, at 14:08:26
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 7:54:11
Is your posting name reefer for the reason I'm thinking?
Posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 15:19:14
In reply to Re: please be civil; reefer, posted by Susan47 on November 12, 2004, at 14:08:26
Actually i took on this nick when i first started going on IRC(Internet Relay Chat) back in 1994. Stopped smoking the reefer in august 2000. But i'll keep the nick. And reefer will always have a place in my heart. It just doesn't fit me anymore since it makes my poor concentration even worse. And also my short term memory which is normal becomes clouded. I need all my brains for university now.
Posted by Susan47 on November 12, 2004, at 22:01:14
In reply to Re: please be civil; reefer, posted by reefer on November 12, 2004, at 15:19:14
Yes, I know what it's like to need your brain and not have it because it's busy elsewhere. Never again will I smoke before an exam, did that last year, fortunately it wasn't a biggie but it could've been. Frustrating to know you KNOW the answers but can't FIND them, and sometimes I think it might've been forever that they can't be found. Still though I think sometimes the pitfalls have to be accepted as the cost of doing what I have to do ... anyone with half a brain knows that life isn't easy or a smooth ride ...
Posted by lorilu on November 12, 2004, at 23:25:38
In reply to Re: But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by Peddidle on November 11, 2004, at 23:16:55
> I don't think this is the place for asking people to sign petitions.
>
> In addition, I have personal feelings towards this because I was put on drugs as a kid--I was 14 (I am 19 now). I have mixed feelings about it, but regardless, I don't feel it is appropriate for you to ask people on this board to sign a petition.I agree with Larry in 2 regards. Early intervention is key as well as I don't think it is appropriate for you to ask people on this board to sign a petition.
lorilu
Posted by lorilu on November 12, 2004, at 23:42:55
In reply to Re: But shouldn't parents have the option?, posted by mcp on November 11, 2004, at 19:32:44
> On general principle I agree with just about everything you just said. One problem though. The government trying to pass this legislation and the government that would enforce it is swimming in money from the pharmaceutical industry and is in my opinion therefore unqualified to make decisions that truly put the child first. Strictly in terms of my personal experience as a teacher, I have seem too many situations where children are forced to go on drugs for ADD and ADHD when a simple overhaul of their nutritional intake could fix the problem. Nevertheless, I still agree with what you said. I just don't see where this government is qualified to do so.
>
> > I know kids who killed themselves because their parents refused to believe that their kid was depressed, and would not hear of a child taking drugs for depression.
> >
> > I certainly think parents should have a choice if the condition is borderline. If a parent is refusing to have a child properly treated then I think the government should step in.
> >
> > My cousin had epilepsy, and the parents would not treat it based on the notion that it was demonic possetion. 15 seizures later, (including many life threatening grand-mal seizures) the parents findally decided to do something.
> >
> > If he was medicated properly from the beginning, his life wouldn't have been endangered like it was.
> >
> > I'm in support of the right decisions being made, not who makes them.
> >
> >
> >
> > Linkadge
>
>
As a parent of one "normal kid" and one kid who takes an antidepressent and will be starting a mood stablizer this weekend it is very difficult to see "teachers" judge parents, especially sice I have been a regular and special ed. teacher for 15 years. I have a masters and 2 teaching credentials. Unfortunately we have OCD, Tourette's, manic depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD...... in our family. My son got the raw end of the deal with the genes. He has gone weekly, twice a week, and monthly to therapy since he was 4 and sees a pdoc and an OCD specialist. However, because of meds, he is in the regular class, highly intellegent, and adapting well. We hope he will not be on meds forever. We stay informed, chart his progress, and don't sleep at night worrying if we made the right choice. I would not wish this on anyone (the tantrums, the tics, the anxiety, sensory and food issues...). I hope that we are frontloading his little life so he will grow up and not use drugs, overeat...(P.S. He drinks Pediasure at the age of 7 because he is a picky eater to supplement his diet)
lorilu
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