Donald Trump has set his sights on psychiatric medications, and in a contentious new executive order, medical professionals nationwide are getting ready to significantly alter regulations pertaining to minors.
A new campaign called the ‘Make America Healthy Again Commission’ was established in a White House policy earlier this week that the 78-year-old Republican leader signed.
Under the direction of US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new panel will concentrate on the mental health and mental disorders of American children.
Trump’s new approach to child health
Trump’s new order aims to “drastically lower chronic disease rates and end childhood chronic disease” by evaluating the risks that children face from “certain chemicals,” “certain other exposures,” and “potential over-utilization of medication.”
‘Assess the prevalence of and hazard posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, stimulants, and weight-loss medicines,’ the policy also promises.
An initial report on prescriptions for these kinds of drugs must be submitted by the new commission within 100 days of the order date. The commission must then propose a strategy with suggestions for the federal government regarding initiatives to improve children’s general health within 80 days.
What worries medical professionals?
Although there is some merit to Trump’s emphasis on children’s health, the new policy’s suggestion that mental health medication, which is frequently life-saving in situations of anxiety and depression, poses a risk to children has raised concerns among medical professionals.
Like other medications, regularly prescribed drugs like SSRIs, antipsychotics, and stimulants can have physical adverse effects, but they are also essential for many young people who are dealing with mental health issues.
There will also be a decrease in the number of youngsters affected by ADHD and ADD, of which the research specifically estimates that 8.4 million exist.
Since the news was made public on Wednesday, February 19, Dr. Lelach Rave, interim executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Washington Chapter, has spoken out in interviews with The Seattle Times.
“Any parent who has a child who is struggling with depression or anxiety or psychosis, it’s a scary place to be,” she stated. “And there’s a lot of harm that goes with having untreated illness.”
“There is real risk with disease, but not that you discount the risks of medications because they’re real as well,” the renowned physician went on.
The article states that a number of other doctors in Washington have responded to the idea that prescription monitoring is a good idea, but they think a federal requirement may cause a rift between doctors and their patients.
Summer Starr, the interim head of Washington’s National Alliance on Mental Illness, also expressed her worries in a direct address regarding the implications for mental health.
“You’d never deny someone cancer treatment,” she started. The stigma associated with that isn’t as great. This merely adds to the stigma around mental health, which we are working to eradicate.”
Denying kids and teens early care for mental health issues could affect their rehabilitation in the future, she continued.
“I do know that the earlier people are able to get the support that is needed for mental health recovery, the better that process is for them.”
