|
Anyone who has sought out treatment for depression in a loved one – or for themself – can relate to the fears and uncertainty surrounding the possible outcomes. Could medication make things worse? What about unexpected side effects? When it comes to adolescents, these types of decisions can feel even weightier.
So when the FDA began issuing warnings in 2003 that young people could face an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior after taking antidepressants – based on tenuous research – it had a chilling effect on all mental health care, including the use of such medication for adolescents and young adults with depression.
Stephen Soumerai and Ross Koppel, who research the effects of health policies on patient safety, have documented nearly two decades’ worth of data showing how these messages, which were intended to prevent harm, did just the reverse: They contributed to a reduction in detection of suicidal behavior and a dramatic rise in youth suicides.
Also today:
|
The link between antidepressant use and increases in suicidal thoughts or behaviors among treated youth is unproven.
FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images
Stephen Soumerai, Harvard University; Ross Koppel, University at Buffalo
A well-intentioned public health message has had serious negative impacts on the treatment of young people for depression.
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Frederick Gooding, Jr., Texas Christian University
With a few notable exceptions, public monuments across the United States are overwhelmingly white and male. A movement is slowly growing to tell a more inclusive history of the American experience.
-
Jack L. Rozdilsky, York University, Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history. His father had invoked its predecessor, the War Measures Act, more than half a century earlier.
|
|
Education
|
-
William Massey, Oregon State University
The physical activity and social connection that take place at recess help children be more engaged once back in the classroom.
-
Kadir Bahar, University of Georgia
A scholar warns that women will continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers unless educators focus on helping girls do better in advanced math courses in high school.
|
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Alessandro Meregaglia, Boise State University
On Dec. 2, 1941, a publication date was set for Mori’s first book. Five days later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, upending the writer’s life and throwing the book’s publication into doubt.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Tamar Kushnir, Duke University; David Sobel, Brown University; Mark Sabbagh, Queen's University, Ontario
People often try to seem confident and certain in their message so it will be trusted and acted upon. But when information is in flux, research suggests. you should be open about what you don’t know.
|
|
Environment + Energy
|
-
Gabriel Filippelli, IUPUI
The Biden administration is moving to revive mercury limits for coal-fired power plants. A scientist explains mercury’s health risks and the role power plants play.
|
|
