MISSD is pleased to see patient safety at the forefront of public discussion. Former President Clinton and Grammy nominee Belinda Carlisle recently spoke at the World Patient Safety Summit. Carlisle states this cause is close to her heart given she has lost family and friends due to medical errors. More than 200,000 people die every year in U.S. hospitals and 4.8 million worldwide in ways that could have been prevented.

See: www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190120005015/en/President-Clinton-Powerful-Message-Attendees-World-Patient

Efforts to mislead doctors and patients about the dangers of Purdue Pharma’s opioid product came from the top, alleges new court filing. See: nytimes.com/2019/01/15/health/sacklers-purdue-oxycontin-opioids.html

Washington’s ABC Channel 7 spotlights adverse drug effects. Drug safety advocates note kids are being given Zoloft for bed wetting, nail biting and test anxiety while many families are not informed about the risks of akathisia-induced death. See: wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/suicide-risks-prescription-drugs?fbclid=IwAR27ukmt3fJV-of6c2wHCoFG7KcGBVBMYo1R5aPsN5UOg1PkA3YhtGULzzg

An excellent MedPage Today article by Dr. Christy Huff helps increase public awareness of akathisia as an adverse effect of benzodiazepines. See: kevinmd.com/blog/2018/11/dont-miss-this-adverse-drug-reaction-when-tapering-benzodiazepines.html

We had a great turnout at last night’s community event focused on strengthening grief support and reducing avoidable deaths. A special thank you goes out to our event partners, Jewish Child & Family Services and No Shame On U. The panel discussion included Shifra Kolsky, Wendy Dolin, and Cara Levinson and keynote speaker, Michael Fine. Special thanks to our keynote speaker, suicide attempt survivor Michael Fine, and program planners Elizabeth Siegel Cohen, Ruth Fruehauf and Wendy Dolin. Let’s continue these critical conversations to save lives.

As we reflect on 2018, we are truly thankful for all the encouragement and support MISSD has received. With your help, we’ve been able to increase awareness, education and knowledge regarding the dangers of medication-induced suicide and akathisia. This year, our organization has continued to make many strides towards reaching the public, including:

• The creation of our second educational video, targeting first responders and health professionals
• The development of a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) program for health professionals
• Transit signage on 100 commuter trains and buses
• Hosting the Suicide Awareness Initiative with Jewish Child & Family Services (JCFS) and No Shame on U
• Recognition of MISSD’s Founder, Wendy Dolin, who was presented with the International Society for Ethical Psychology & Psychiatry (ISEPP) Humanitarian Award, for increasing awareness of akathisia

We feel as if our work has just begun and we have ambitious visions for the New Year. Please help us reach our goals by making a tax-deductible donation to be used to help MISSD participate in conferences, produce more educational materials and pursue other awareness raising activities.

You can donate through our website or at the following address:
MISSD
P.O. Box 10107
Chicago, IL 60610

Together we can prevent the unnecessary loss of life. Warm holiday wishes and may the coming year be happy and healthy for you and yours.
~The MISSD Team

Kim Witzack, a national drug safety advocate and MISSD board member, is interviewed by Douglas Sidney as part of the Twin Cities Film Fest Insider Screening. Kim is also the founder of woodymatters.com, an informative public health website dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Woody, who died an akathisia-induced death. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kelYkRgMfQ

If you’re in the Chicago area this month, please join MISSD, Jewish Child & Family Services and No Shame on U for an evening of critical conversation about suicide prevention and grief support. This free event is open to all and will be held on Wednesday, December 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Beth Hillel B’nai Emunah Congregation, 3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette, IL.

Michael Fine is the keynote speaker and our discussion panel includes community members who have lost loved ones to suicide and akathisia-induced death. To register for “Suicide in the Jewish Community: Shining a Light in the Darkness,” please visit: https://jcfs.formstack.com/forms/suicide_jewish_community

Some akathisia sufferers use poetry as a creative outlet to communicate the inner restlessness of akathisia. J.A.’s poem describes akathisia as “a feeling of terror, panic, fear, as if you LIVE in a horror movie,” while Marci’s poem describes “feelings of lightening bolts bursting.”

CDC States Many Deaths are Preventable

MISSD is concerned that the US life expectancy has declined, but remains hopeful that increased public attention regarding prescription-drug-induced disorders can help reduce preventable deaths in the future.

See: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/29/health/life-expectancy-2017-cdc/index.html