May 9, 2013, is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and there is a push by pharmaceutical companies and the DSM-53 (or DSM-5 but it seems like 53 because it is always reinventing itself) to get more kids on psychotropic medications due to mental illness diagnoses. Think about it: what “market” is untapped for psychotropic meds? Children. Thus, Brandon the Bipolar Bear and other books are promoting kids taking their seemingly harmless medications.
I know, I know, I know – some of you think I am too harsh and a conspiracy theorist, but I am telling you that psychology and pharmaceuticals is BIG business. BIG time money involved here in the billion dollar range.
I guess that was one thing that was refreshing about Russia is that they do not have this problem of pharmaceuticals because they can barely afford food and do not have free time or expendable income for drugs.
My major concern is that many of these psychotropic medications may do irreversible damage to young children as they are doing to adults. Most of the meds basically make people numb and put them in a zombie-like state. Yes, they do not get depressed but neither are they clear-minded and joyful. While I may be a little too up and too down at times, I don’t want to lose that part of me that celebrates the joys found only in Christ. Medications always have side effects and most of these drugs are still in their infancy in terms of what we know about them. I will not put my children on such drugs and I suggest you prayerfully consider this issue by searching the Scriptures for wisdom.
So the notification I got about this appalling day was this:
“The Mental Health Goal Group will be raising awareness of the importance of all aspects of child mental health. To celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, we will be participating in a Health Fair at the 16th Street Baptist Church, Saturday, May 4th 10:00 am-1:00 pm. It is free and open to the public. Join us there! The Mayor of Mountain Brook also signed a Proclamation declaring the day in the city.”
A free event that might be helpful in offering select services to some parents and children but it also offers some dangerous “solutions” that often cause more serious concerns.
Am I extreme? You betcha! Extremely trusting in Jesus to transform His children and not trusting in drugs or psychologists (Col. 2:8). I am not afraid to speak out against this because I know that I am on the right side of this issue. Be bold, fellow Christians!
-Mark (deeply saddened and troubled at the movement to put children on psychotropic medications when it is not necessary)