Hats off to the Ireland-based Stephen’s Voice for this weekend’s successful Prescribed Harm Awareness walks held in several countries, including Ireland, England, Wales, South Africa, America, and Australia. MISSD and Stephen’s Voice share the common goal of increasing akathisia awareness and education.

The charity was founded after Stephen O’Neill died an akathisia-induced death in 2016. Stephen was prescribed sertraline, which is marketed in the US as Zoloft. See https://www.facebook.com/stephenoneillsvoice

Researchers at University College London have found that the widespread use of antidepressants is “not grounded in science” because depression is not caused by a chemical imbalance.

“The marketing of SSRIs, including Prozac in the 1980s, popularised the idea that depression was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, although few experts now agree. Professor Joanna Moncrieff, a consultant psychiatrist who led the study, said this “false belief” had driven a dramatic increase in the prescription of SSRIs since the 1990s.”

SSRIs pose serious adverse drug effects, including akathisia which can lead to medication-induced suicide. Read the full article at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/low-serotonin-causing-your-depression-james-davies-says-it-may-be-your-life-instead-ntwhkd2gk

Let’s hope the new suicide prevention hotline has properly trained counselors who ask questions about prescription drug use and adverse drug effects that can cause akathisia and suicidality.

Read the full article at https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/15/1111316589/988-suicide-hotline-number?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20Daily%20Health%20Policy%20Report&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=219943876&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–_sUXk98B63x90gQBVmEkuX6Dp2Qm-sGG3zjZNZlu_lt0tf3MFE9l7WxsIpZH2txZgsOieRJ5bUGDgA1JQxi3jaY2kLg&utm_content=219943876&utm_source=hs_email

It’s been 12 years since Stewart Dolin’s akathisia-induced death. MISSD, which was created in memory of Stewart and other akathisia sufferers, has accomplished much and reached thousands of people since then.

Thank you to all of our supporters for helping us increase akathisia awareness and education. Together we are making a positive difference for others.

Gabapentin can cause akathisia yet consumers are often never informed.

“I became more and more out of control. My whole personally—I’m very a sweet, nice person, and I got hostile.” Adams went back to her doctor who responded by increasing the drug. She later attempted suicide.

Read the full article at https://www.theepochtimes.com/highly-prescribed-benign-medication-detected-in-10-percent-of-overdose-deaths_4587995.html?utm_source=Health&utm_campaign=health-2022-07-14&utm_medium=email&est=%2FODCBRVBGMsyRieSNd9xb2%2BsYnuI9bW%2F%2BMOOojcwq8MXlBzHsQvS7dwIIM8IIg%3D%3D

Many people are unaware that benzos can cause serious adverse effects including withdrawal akathisia. For an informative podcast that spotlights benzo awareness, see https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/07/world-benzodiazepine-awareness-day-2020/.

MISSD is pleased our latest public health video has had more than 44,500 views since its release. That’s an average of 350 people per day who are learning that prescription drug-induced akathisia is a suicide risk factor. Please see and share https://www.youtube.com/c/MISSDFoundation/videos

MISSD’s public health videos have had more than 665K views. Please share them to help ensure others are well informed about akathisia and related adverse drug effects. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER4JGnRssSk.

A new study finds older adults taking SSRIs are at an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. It’s also important to note that people suffering from serotonin toxicity can also be suffering from SSRI-induced akathisia. Read the full article at https://www.madinamerica.com/2022/06/antidepressant-induced-serotonin-syndrome-danger-elderly/

MISSD’s latest video is the first suicide prevention video to include akathisia as a suicide risk factor. Please see and share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r9lcvh90kE