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DIRECTORS REPORT February 2005
One of the developmental tasks of the teenage years is to become your own person, partly through rebellion against your parents. As a parent it is often difficult to know when this rebellion is normal.
The following is a "Mothers Story" (posted on our website)
My 18 year old son on several occasions spoke to me of suicidal thoughts. Because my son smoked marijuana and in the past had used intravenous drugs I thought that it might have been adolescent behaviour combined with drugs that may have distorted his thinking. Something I hoped he would over come.
One Saturday morning I had to take my younger son to the doctor's and pick up a few groceries. My younger son, after the doctor's appointment went on to see a friend.
I was gone no longer than 1 hour.
When I returned I went down stairs to the laundry. I found my son hanging. I was alone in the house and by myself, I had to cut him down. Crying and in complete disbelief I gave my son CPR, desperately trying to revive him. I did not want to stop the CPR but I had to ring 000. I was in total shock but managed to rush back up the stairs and ring the emergency number for help. They advised me not to hang up and continue the CPR until the ambulance arrived. I was out of breath and tired but continued CPR until they arrived.
To find my child hanging and dead in my home was beyond comprehension. Something that you would never expect to see in your life.
I repeatedly ask myself questions of why was I so naive not to believe my son when he spoke of suicide.
I ask how would I have known if we as a society are not educated on suicide/mental illness. Family and carers, in most cases think this is the behaviour of adolescents. We do not know how to differentiate between behavioural problems and serious problems. Psychiatrists, doctor's etc specialise for many years on this specific issue.
We, the community care givers, are totally ignorant on this subject. We are left to find our own way.
His Mum
Footnote:- I too experienced my son constantly talking of suicide and I also was naïve not to believe him. I remember a Psychiatrist telling me to ask our son "When", "Where" and "How" he was going to kill himself. If he can't answer those questions this means he won't kill himself. Well I did ask our son these utterly ridiculous questions and our sons reply was "I don't know". If Psychiatrists study/training depend on these three questions to save lives, what hope have we.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
--Helen Keller
We are not powerless specks of dust drifting around in the wind, blown by random destiny. We are, each of us, like beautiful snowflakes unique, and born for a specific reason and purpose.
--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Help Us to Help You.
Fanita Clark
President
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THANK YOU'S
Index Self-Storage, Zupps Hillcrest-Roger Farrell, Browns Plains Hotel, Mainfreight-David Kingdon, Subway - Browns Plains, Subway - Loganholme, Carina Leagues Club Ltd, Augello's Ristorante & Pizzeria - New Farm Qld, McDonald's - Springwood, Shirley Fellows - Secretary Hon Arch Bevis, Aviva Billington - Chevron Island, Amalgamated Confectionery Wholesalers Pty Ltd - Springwood, Toni's Restaurant - Mt Gravatt Central,
"Special Thanks" - Rochedale Rovers Soccer and Recreation Club Ltd - Adrian Correa Functions Manager for helping us make our inaugural action held on their premises a very successful and enjoyable evening for all concerned.
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REMINDER
Yearly Subscription Renewal - March 1st 2005 - February 28 2006
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PETER NEAME-RESEACH OFFICER WWA
These are the two key areas that must be improved.
1. Assessment - Get it right the first time. The consequence of refusing mentally ill people care and inappropriate hospital discharge are responsible for the increase in the number of people committing suicide, murder and violence. At present assessment is almost totally reliant on a verbal question and answer basis, whereas it should be based on clinical assessment of the outward signs and symptoms of the neurological basis of mental illness; i.e. disease dysfunction of the limbic/serotonergic system.
2. Professional accountability, policies, recommendations, guidelines are only two dimensional bits of paper. Unless professionals are held directly and individually accountable nothing whatsoever will improve, because there is no incentive to improve. At present a psychiatrist can be disciplined for having an affair with a patient, but there are no consequences if a patient is refused treatment and it results in a death or multiple deaths. Frequently the same clinician, hospital or department has made exactly the same foolish mistake leading to one or more deaths after another and there is no honest follow up, examination or change in practice.
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FATHERS STORY
Background
Until the night of 29th March 1993 I had no knowledge or experience of mental illness and not the slightest inkling that my eldest son, Jason, was suffering a depressive illness. There had been behaviours on occasions that had caused concern, but were easily dismissed as within the boundaries of sometimes-difficult teenage behaviour.
I recall vividly the late night dash I made to the unit in which my eldest son had been living with his girl friend prior to their break up. I had earlier spent the evening with one of his brothers searching unsuccessfully for him after a friend had phoned and expressed great concern about his behaviour over the preceding few days. My frantic dash was triggered by a call from my ex-wife who had just spoken to Jason on the phone and was gravely alarmed at the content of the call and his demeanour.
I arrived just in time to see Jason collapse and begin convulsing as a result of a massive overdose of prescribed medication. I then struggled desperately to keep Jason alive, with barely remembered CPR, until the MICA paramedics arrived.
It was a close call, but Jason survived that night and 2 days later was transferred to the Psychiatry Department of a major Public Hospital.
The next 8 days were enormously disorienting and exhausting.
Within 24 hours of arrival at the Psychiatry Department, Jason was discharged without either of his parents being advised that this was to happen, and a visitor coerced into taking responsibility for him. The same visitor had reported to a Psychiatric Registrar that Jason had told him that he was going to `con the shrink, get out and do it again'. Despite this, the discharge proceeded.
Within a few hours, Jason had become distressed after visiting his ex-girlfriend and had attempted to ram an oncoming vehicle on a major road. Fortunately his visitor had stayed with him and prevented a tragedy. He contacted me immediately and together we were able, after several hours, to persuade Jason to accompany us back to the hospital.
These events were described in detail to hospital staff when Jason was re-admitted and I felt sure they were sufficiently serious to ensure Jason remained in hospital until his crisis was resolved.
This was not the case. A few days later Jason simply walked out of the hospital one evening and consumed a quantity of alcohol while absent. He was reported missing and police notified.
Jason was actually making his way back to the hospital when he was bashed to the point of being knocked unconscious and robbed by unknown assailants. When police arrived he was in an agitated state and they conveyed him back to the hospital.
He was settled when returned to the Psychiatry Department but became agitated again when staff would not take his account of being assaulted seriously. Staff responded by grappling with him and attempting to inject him with haloperidol, a major tranquiliser.
When he broke free staff simply watched while he left the ward at approximately 3:15am in an agitated state. Their only response was to go to a computer terminal and discharged him.
Shortly after this I received a reverse charges call from a public phone box near the hospital. Jason was sobbing and was in a very distressed state. Accompanied by his brother I raced to the hospital and we located him. He was reluctant to return to the hospital after his treatment there and it took several hours, with the assistance of police who had earlier apprehended him before he could be persuaded to return to the hospital.
The hospital re-admission procedure took many hours and in an assessment carried out by a nurse and a Psychiatric Registrar, Jason stated that he `still wished to die' and that he `felt safe in the hospital but did not trust himself outside not to act on his impulses'. This was recorded in his medical history although later, at his inquest, denied by the Psychiatric Registrar.
Two days later, the same Psychiatric Registrar allowed Jason to be discharged at his request. Next of kin, who would be expected to look after him, were not contacted at the time or subsequently. No advice as to his diagnosis, how to care for him, danger signs to look for or any such information was ever provided. Had it not been for the fact that his 16-year-old brother, a female school friend and his 20-year-old female cousin, visited Jason at the time, he would have left unaccompanied.
For the next 24 hours all concerned felt an enormous tension in Jason's presence. We were dismayed that he was clearly not well but had been discharged. How could we have him readmitted to hospital without some quite specific grounds for concern? We felt powerless and tried as best we could to not upset him. Were we better informed we would have possibly recognised some of the subtle indications of impending suicide such as the giving away of prized possessions.
Jason left his mother's home in the evening saying he was going to visit a friend. Within minutes his youngest brother, just 14 at the time discovered his suicide note. Police were immediately contacted and they began an intensive search including the use of the police helicopter. Jason's mother phoned me and I got her to read the note to me very carefully in case it contained any clue as to where he might have gone. The clue was there but it was misunderstood at the time and he went to a place just outside the search area. I phoned Jason's friend and asked to be contacted if Jason arrived and for him to restrain Jason if necessary.
Jason had also discovered where his mother had hidden his medication and it was missing. But how much? Was there a lethal dose? My mind raced as I tried to collect the information and do the calculations.
Inevitably the dreaded call came. A young man, believed to be Jason, had been attended by ambulance and police and was dead.
I was so numb with grief and shock and had to be driven to the scene, arriving just as the undertaker was removing my son's body. He had again used an overdose of prescribed medication and, with what I had witnessed just 11 days earlier, I could picture his death. To this day that scene returns to haunt me, what I experienced on 29th March merged in my mind with the location of his death on 9th April.
When approached to give consent to Jason being a tissue donor, his mother and I readily assented; seeking to salvage some good from this tragedy and knowing it would be what he wanted. Even in this we were thwarted as the tissue, heart valves and corneas, could not be used, as Jason had a minor infection from when tubes were inserted into his arm following his initial suicide attempt.
A Melbourne Coroner, handing down her findings in late 1994, found nothing of concern in
any of this.
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GUEST BOOK
8/10/04 Brisbane As someone suffering from depression, I'd like to thank your organisation for it's work on behalf of others. I disagree with your stated goal of altering patient confidentiality, but it means well.
23/10/04 Brisbane My 25 year old Aunty took her own life in January this year. My Dad was the one to tell me. I never imagined that three months later my Mum would be telling me my Dad had also ended his life. I know so many people who have come to this site, feel the pain, anger, disbelief, guilt, shock and sorrow that I feel. At times you wonder if it really happened or if it's just a dream. I think it does help in some small, small way to know other people are going through what you are. Other people are having days that are just as black and just as hard to make it through. Although my Dad's suicide is a scar I will carry for the rest of my life, I will also carry the prive ledge of knowing him for 18 years of my life and for that I am so thankful. I wish you all strength and courage in your time of need.
29/10/04 Australia I had to come back for another look, great site.
5/11/04 Mackay An interesting informative site. Keep up the good work.
7/11/04 NJ USA I have had a gun to my head, one time many years ago when I was a junkie. I felt more about those who loved me than myself. Now, many years later I am here for myself , and my wife and 3 kids who would never have happened had I killed myself. I am truly blessed. If anyone out there is thinking of the same, look to the future. It will always be bright.
11/11/04 Perth WA I lost my husband 10 weeks ago to suicide, we have two kids aged 6 & 4. He lost his job (for dubious reasons?) maintained his innocence (in a card he mailed me, that I received the day after), and killed himself less than one hour after the sacking by jumping off a multi-storey car park. If only he had known how is job/status/shame or whatever didn't matter to anyone. Everything is solveable. Nothing is worth doing this. He just had too much pride and thought everyone would think ill of him. His sudden irrational brain didn't let him see outside his dark place. I am not angry, just sad. If only the world didn't put so much pressure on "the man, the provider" and that men didn't feel such pressure to be successful/respected or whatever. I'd rather have a jobless husband and have to sell my home, than have no husband at all. Lets do all we can to take the pressure off the man as provider. I work too but even that didn't make a difference in my case.
13/11/04 Lome Togo Very good site
24/11/04 Sydney I lost my beautiful daughter just 29 days ago and I'm lost without her. She was just 23 and 2 months old. She tried so hard to stay here, in her own hell, for me and her sister. Her (our) story reflects many stories on this site in that the Mental Health System failed her (time and time again) - right down to the last hour of her life by not ringing me or an ambulance when they new she had overdosed on prescription antidepressants. I will tell her story one day, but not just now, I'm to overcome with grief . Thank you Fanita for this site - I wish I had found it before October 26th. You were born special, Beautiful and Wonderful……I hope you are with your Dad now……Love you so much sweety (((((hugs))))) Love Mum xxxxxx
30/11/04 Gosford NSW I attempted suicide 22 days ago, and have for a long time being dealing with the effects of depression. I have been able to relate a lot to the stories posted on this site and I am glad to see that here are organisation like this out there, informing the public about suicide/mental illness.
20/12/2004 Melbourne I am a Mum with a four month old baby girl and a 13 year old boy. I honestly don't want to live anymore. I will NOT leave my four month old angel behind!!! I have pleaded and pleaded with my partner but it doesn't help. I have had two miscarriages in the time I have been with him. I have nowhere to go since I have no family… Only GOD can help me and my baby now….
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BELINDA'S JOURNAL CONTINUED
Note - There are 10 pts in a gram. Note also - This in no way should lay any blame on Dave for introducing me to base. It doesn't take long to get connected in `the scene' when you try. Being Dave's `girlfriend' - during which we agreed from day 1 it was an open relationship - opened up a whole new world for me. I started mixing with people who, due to their involvement in `the scene'/ the `base scene' that is, were bonded by the hard-core-ness of the needle & who shared each others passion for `underground' drug exploits.
I met many wild & wonderful people during this period of time in my life. The relationship also gave me the opportunity of getting `connected'. Dave & I were still together & as I remember relatively happy with each other when Max entered our lives. I'm not quite sure how they met but I remember as if it was yesterday the day I met my Maxamillion. We began chatting in Dave's lounge room. Well, I did most of the chatting as it was never Max's forte. I remember giving him a long spiel on my thoughts about people & their interactions with others. A short while prior to meeting Max I had begun writing what I liked to term `my thesis' which I titled "How to find your happiness". I constructed numerous theories on the way. I believed people should think, feel, act about & towards themselves & others to create a fair and equitable, supportive and empowering environment with non-judgmental constructive social attitudes. I ended up writing about 3 notebooks full of theories. I really enjoyed it & became passionate about these writings for probably the same reason why I haven't put my pen down since I've begun these memoirs, except to have a few cigarettes & cones. I am a writer by talent I think. When I verbalized some of my theories to Max while at Dave's I saw his face light up with recognition & I knew he understood me. I'm tossing up having another shot & going out or having cones & sleeping & saving the shot for the morning. At the moment I feel like I could write & write forever & still not have recorded all of what I have to say or express. Well, at least it gives me something kind of constructive and worthwhile to do. But it is detracting from my painting effort although at the moment my paintbrush is broken and the last time I had a painting session Claire, one of my few `real' friends, put paint on the newspapers that I had protecting the carpet in my room - it was f..?king cold outside - not conducive to painting - and I stepped in the paint with my socks on & then walked into the hall before I realized & got paint everywhere. Was then thoroughly in the shit. Hey this kind of works, writing it all down seems to release some sort of endorphin or maybe it's just relief I feel - no knots at the moment. Well, am showing some restraint - and sense (it's really cold outside) - and I don't have a car. Mum & Dad took that off me about 1 week ago which is a real pain - what really annoys me is that it sits in the garage doing nothing & I'm having to contemplate public transport and do a bit of hitchhiking (for the last 2 days). I've been really lucky hitchhiking (don't tell anyone because I'll get in the shit again) - but what choice did I have, limited funds, missed last bus, so had to hitchhike. Last night this guy picked me up and on the way to - (wherever I was going - it's a secret) we got chatting & it ended up he was goey user. We stopped at his friends place nearby and he gave me 1 point. He then dropped me off & then 2½ hrs later picked me up & drove me home. I gorged big time last night. I had a shot at David's - (the guy who picked me up hitchhiking last night) friend's place, then I had a shot at my friend's place where I was going, then I had a shot when we got back home, then I had a shot at David's house and then at about 7 o'clock in the morning I had my 5th point in the laundry of a friend of a friend's hotel room. Will I ever learn? Explains why it's 12 o'clock midnight the next night & I'm still up writing. Just got a tiny message in the radio. You see as human beings we can be very receptive, intuitive and impressionable to an environment in which we are constantly absorbing knowledge, ideas, feelings & energy whether we like it or not - these are my beliefs only and while I have many strong beliefs, I have many unanswered questions, both of which don't need to be accepted or taken on by others as truth and it's the person who is missing out if they don't consider the possibilities. (I feel people need to be reminded). I may be wrong but I may be right or even if I was partially right that would be a buzz. I believe our world, our environment and other people (on their own & with the subconscious direction of angels) provide messages and knowledge for us; and these are experienced by everyone at individual levels, intensities & in various forms. I'd love to know the answer to the unanswerable question of why I was one person - and we are actually a growing population of individuals - consciously wanting or often wished to be tuned in for 24 hrs per day. At some times I don't remember (and I have tried to remember) the exact sequence of events as they occurred in the year of my life that everything went haywire, and my memories of events themselves will and do appear and then disappear into the depths of my mind, which as my acupuncturist puts it, is full of shit, my mind, that is. I will record memories in the sequence they are remembered by me. This seems like the easiest method.
To be continued
EMAILS
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Hello,
The County in where we live has had four youth suicides in the past six weeks.
I'm helping a local reporter to research and write an article on suicide trends and prevention strategies.
Does your organization happen to know of where we can go to obtain suicide statistics by city or by county? We live in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
Does your organization offer any referrals for training materials that can be used by teachers regarding youth and teen suicide?
We are looking for such things as suicide indicators, prevention strategies, coping strategies. What friends and family can do to help a young person that has hinted
at or expressed conversations revealing thoughts of contemplating suicide.
Thank you for any assistance with these questions.
Sincerely yours
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I cannot agree more with your sentiments and I certainly take those points.
I too have had some contact with youth suicide and what is happening in this day and age is a horrendous tragedy.
I really commend you on your efforts and it is because of people such as you that maybe the community can assist in preventing some further lives from being lost.
Best wishes with your endeavours
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I have just found your website which I didn't know existed.
Tuesday should have been my sons 33rd birthday, instead he is forever 30yrs, 5mths 8dys. I am sure that says it all. Two and a half years down the track it still hurts and always will.
I currently belong to a US based internet support Group called Parents of Suicide which I found 18mnths ago and it has been a wonderful support, there are a few Australian members. However, it would be good to belong to a home based group as well.
I am also on the Steering Committee of a local project - ComPAS (Community Partnerships Against Suicide) which is a federally funded, two year project in this area.
I was not aware of white wreath day or of your group until now. In fact it was your email to our local state member of parliament, South Australia, (I work part-time in this office) which gave me this info!
I note that you are based in QLD. I will be in Brisbane from 21st - 31st Oct and would be interested in making contact if possible.
My son actually died on the Sunshine Coast, he had only been there two weeks after relocating from Darwin to make a fresh start with his family. (It's a long story - aren't they all!).
Do you have a SA branch? If so I could join this. Even though we are in the country we do go to Adelaide several times a year.
Hope to hear from you
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Hi
I came across you website much by accident. My sister committed suicide in …. on New Years Day 2003. Someone who knows her has a 'white wreath' for her. I understand that it is in ….., though she died in ……. It was a common feeling of mine when I read the stories of others as I had raised my sister due to family problems and that the medical profession would not give me any information of her situation yet she was dependant on myself and husband. She died by carbon monoxide poisoning and was not found for some days later.
You've got a good and brave website
Regards.
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Hi My name is S… from Ghana and I would like to volunteer for your organization.
Ghana is a country situated in West Africa.and It has the population of about twenty million.And Ghana is reagarded as the gateway to Africa.because of it peace and Democarcy,well the United Nations secretary general is also a Ghanaian.
And Ghana is rated amongst the ten most peaceful countries in the world and probably the first in Africa.Ghana was colonised by Britain. There are but no as much as other countries that rate is now going high a bite. Since Ghana is rated among the developing countries how system down here concerning hospital is not up to international standard.but rated high in the west african sub region.and Ghana is well known for producing good and qualified Doctors, but the problem now is with the equipments and the incentives need to make the Docotrs work with zeal.but they are trying their best,but to the rural areas i can say they need alot.because even Doctors who are in the cities are even not happy with their living so they find it very difficult going to the rural areas only 10 t0 15 percent of them go to the rural areas and even when they go and they are on serving basis but not work permanently. Thank you.
S……
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To whom it may concern,
My name is ….. and I am living in Victoria. Last month I lost my dad to suicide. As i read the local paper today I had noticed that 3 families in my town had lost a member of their family. This happened within hours of each other.
I wanted to comfort these families, offer them my support as I understand the feeling of losing someone close. I am wanting to know if there is any organisation that could do with another person to help in these times of need.
I have no qualifications, but I am willing to learn.
Any information would be gratefully appreciated.
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American News
Antidepressants to get 'black box' warning
Alert designed to protect children taking antidepressants
Friday, October 15, 2004 Posted: 8:57 PM EDT (0057 GMT)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- All antidepressants must carry a "black box" warning, the government's strongest safety alert, linking the drugs to increased suicidal thoughts and behavior among children and teens taking them, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
Because the warnings are primarily seen by doctors, the agency also is creating an information guide for patients to advise them of the risk.
"Today's actions represent FDA's conclusions about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and the necessary actions for physicians prescribing these antidepressant drugs and for the children and adolescents taking them," said Dr. Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner.
The drug labels also include details of pediatric studies which, thus far, have pointed to Prozac as the safest antidepressant for youths to take.
On average, 2 percent to 3 percent of children taking antidepressants have increased suicidal thoughts, independent experts, working with Columbia University, found.
The FDA announcement follows to the letter guidance from federal advisers. After searing and emotional public hearings one month ago, the advisers urged the agency to add its most strident warnings to the drugs.
The FDA said in a statement that it recognizes that depression in pediatric patients "can have significant consequences in pediatric patients if not appropriately treated. The new warning language recognizes this need but advises close monitoring of patients as a way of managing the risk of suicidality."
An information guide will be distributed with each antidepressant prescription. Parents will be advised to look for warning signs in children that include worsening depression, agitation, irritability, and unusual changes in behavior. Those worrisome signs could come within the first months of starting an antidepressant or when the drug's doses changes -- higher or lower.
In 24 trials involving more than 4,400 patients taking antidepressants, researchers found a greater risk of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior during the first few months of treatment.
Celexa, Prozac and Zoloft posed lower risks for children, researchers found, while Luvox, Effexor and Paxil had higher risks of increased suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Prozac is the only antidepressant approved by the FDA for use for treating depression in pediatric patients.
Anafranil, Prozac, Luvox and Zoloft have been used for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in pediatric patients.
The new warnings, however, will be carried by all antidepressants, including Anafranil, Aventyl, Celexa, Cymbalta, Desyrel, Effexor, Elavil, Lexapro, Limbitrol, Ludiomil, Luvox, Marplan, Nardil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Parnate, Paxil, Pexeva, Prozac, Remeron, Sarafem, Serzone, Sinequan, Surmontil, Symbyax,Tofranil, Tofranil-PM, Triavil, Vivactil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Zyban.
The agency's action comes at a time when it faces withering criticism for not acting sooner on antidepressants, and for the shortage of flu vaccine and the high-profile withdrawal of Vioxx for safety concerns.
Congressional investigations have focused on allegations the agency silenced its own employees who tried to raise safety concerns on the antidepressants and Vioxx.
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FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P04-97
October 15, 2004
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Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
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FDA Launches a Multi-Pronged Strategy to Strengthen Safeguards for Children Treated With Antidepressant Medications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a Public Health Advisory announcing a multi-pronged strategy to warn the public about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior ("suicidality") in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications.
The agency is directing manufacturers to add a "black box" warning to the health professional labeling of all antidepressant medications to describe this risk and emphasize the need for close monitoring of patients started on these medications. FDA has also determined that a Patient Medication Guide (MedGuide), which will be given to patients receiving the drugs to advise them of the risk and precautions that can be taken, is appropriate, and is in the process of developing one.
"Today's actions represent FDA's conclusions about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and the necessary actions for physicians prescribing these antidepressant drugs and for the children and adolescents taking them. Our conclusions are based on the latest and best science. They reflect what we heard from our advisory committee last month, as well as what many members of the public have told us," said Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting FDA Commissioner.
In letters issued today, FDA directed the manufacturers of all antidepressant medications to add a "black box" warning that describes the increased risk of suicidality in children and adolescents given antidepressant medications and notes what uses the drugs have been approved or not approved for in these patients. FDA's letters to the manufacturers also discuss other labeling changes designed to include additional information about pediatric studies of these drugs. These labeling changes are applicable to the entire category of antidepressant medications because the currently available data are not adequate to exclude any single medication from the increased risk of suicidality.
Prozac is currently the only medication approved to treat depression in children and adolescents. The analyses of the placebo controlled trials in children and adolescents summarized in the revised labeling are based on studies of five selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Celexa, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil and Zoloft) and four "atypical" antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Remeron, Serzone and Effexor XR). In these studies, there was no reported case of a suicide.
A "black box" warning is the most serious warning placed in the labeling of a prescription medication. Advertisements that serve to remind health care professionals of a product's availability (so-called "reminder ads") are not allowed for products with "black box" warnings. Until now, only ten drug products approved for children contained a black box warning about their use in children. The new warning language does not prohibit the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents. Rather, it warns of the risk of suicidality and encourages prescribers to balance this risk with clinical need.
FDA recognizes that depression and other psychiatric disorders in pediatric patients can have significant consequences if not appropriately treated. The new warning language recognizes this need but advises close monitoring of patients as a way of managing the risk of suicidality.
The second element of the agency's strategy is a Patient Medication Guide (MedGuide), FDA-approved user-friendly information for patients. MedGuides are intended to be distributed by the pharmacist with each prescription or refill of a medication. FDA will work with the manufacturers of antidepressant medications to make the MedGuides available as soon as possible.
In addition, FDA intends to work with manufacturers to implement "Unit of Use" packaging for all antidepressants as a means of ensuring that patients receive a MedGuide with every prescription or refill. "Unit of use" packaging is a method of preparing a medication in an original container, sealed and pre-labeled by the manufacturer, and containing sufficient medication for one normal course of therapy.
Today's actions are consistent with the recommendations made at the September 2004 joint meeting of the FDA's Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee and Pediatric Drugs Advisory Committee.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01124.html
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AGM
Our AGM was held on Monday 4 October 2004
Positions as follows:-
President…Fanita Clark
Secretary…Mark Knipe
Treasurer…Kay Roos
Committee…Peter Neame, Ruth Avenell, Ivars Milnis, Tina Knipe, Peter Clark
WISH LIST
A4 Envelopes
DL Envelopes
Copy Paper
Paper Clips
Volunteers Australia/wide (contact our Head Office for details)
OR YOU MAY LIKE TO DONATE
1.Via our credit card facility posted on our website www.whitewreath.com then follow the instruction.
2. Directly into any Commonwealth Bank
Account Name White Wreath Association Inc
BSB No 06 4184 Account No 10253519
3. Cheque/Money Order to White Wreath Association Inc and mailed to PO Box 1078 Browns Plains Qld 4118
IMPORTANT NOTICE
In 2005 White Wreath Day - In Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide falls on a Sunday. The Brisbane commemoration will not be held in King George Square 2005 due to an Arts and Craft Market that is held on Sundays in the square.
As we are a National Organisation we have decided that the main service of the thousands of white wreaths will travel to Perth Western Australia on the 29 May 2005. Our great team in Perth have held services on White Wreath Day for the past 4 years and they are very excited that the major commemoration will be held in their city. Planning is already underway.
Our Kingaroy Qld Branch Co-ordinator Judy Hutton will hold a commemoration in Kingaroy on our behalf on Sunday 29 May 2005.
VENUE: Kingaroy City Forecourt, Glendon Street KINGAROY
TIME: Display from 9.30am - 3.30pm
OFFICIAL CEREMONY: Commencing 1pm
CONTACT: Judy Hutton
EMAIL: dnjhutton@bigpond.com.au
MOBILE: 0428 685 801 the best Number to ring and Judy will reply.
OR
07 4669 4178
I hope you will support us by helping Judy, as she will be taking on a difficult task.
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