Trump sparks major concern as he takes aim at very common medication
Donald Trump has set his sights on psychiatric drugs, with healthcare professionals across the United States preparing to make major changes to regulation practices when it comes to children, as per a controversial new executive order.
A White House policy signed earlier this week by the Republican leader, 78, announced the introduction of a new campaign titled the 'Make America Healthy Again Commission'.
Chaired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr - the US' Health and Human Services Secretary - the new commission will focus on the health of American children, with a specific focus on mental health and mental illness.
Trump's new policy on children's health
Trump's new order calls for 'drastically lowering chronic disease rates and ending childhood chronic disease' by 'assessing the threat that potential over-utilisation of medication', 'certain chemicals' and 'certain other exposures' pose to children.
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The policy also vows to 'assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs'.
By 100 days after the date of the order, the new commission is required to submit an initial report regarding prescriptions of these such medications. And 80 days after that, the commission is required to submit a strategy about plans to improve the general health of children, with recommendations for the federal government.
Why are healthcare professionals concerned?
Whilst Trump's focus on children's health might be somewhat admirable, the new policy's implication that mental health medication - which is often life-saving in cases involving depression and anxiety - poses a threat to children has sparked concern in the medical field.
Whilst commonly-prescribed drugs like SSRIs, antipsychotics and stimulants can - like all medications - have physical side effects, they are also critical for many young people who are struggling with ill mental health.
Cases of children impacted by ADHD and ADD - of which the report states explicitly, there are 8.4 million - will also take a hit.
Speaking to The Seattle Times since the news was announced on Wednesday (19 Feb), Dr. Lelach Rave - interim executive director of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics - has spoken out.
"Any parent who has a child who is struggling with depression or anxiety or psychosis, it’s a scary place to be," she explained. "And there’s a lot of harm that goes with having untreated illness."
The acclaimed medic continued: "Not that you discount the risks of medications because they’re real as well, but there is real risk with disease."
As per the publication, several other Washington physicians have addressed with the notion that monitoring prescriptions is sound practice, but believe that a federal order could spark division between physicians and their patients.
Speaking about mental health implications directly, Summer Starr - the interim director of Washington’s National Alliance on Mental Illness - also raised her concerns.
"You’d never deny someone cancer treatment," she began. "There isn’t the same level of stigma for that. We’re trying to destigmatize mental health, and this just adds another layer of that."
She added that, denying children and teenagers initial treatment for mental health and mental illness, could impact their recovery later down the line.
"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."
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, News, Politics, Health, Mental Health
Rhianna Benson