Akathisia Awareness Can Decrease Misdiagnosis
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
Grief Support Event Promotes Critical Conversations
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.
Please Help Increase Akathisia Awareness to Prevent Avoidable Deaths
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
MISSD Board Member Interviewed at Twin Cities Film Fest
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
MISSD Cosponsors Shining a Light Event
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
Using Poetry to Describe Akathisia
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.”
Report Shows US Life Expectancy Declines
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
World’s Largest Employee Assistance Program Learns About Akathisia
MISSD is thankful for many opportunities this year to increase akathisia awareness. Our recent ComPsych presentation at the social work department in Chicago was well received. ComPsych provides services to more the 45,000 organizations reaching more than 100 million people in the US and 160 additional countries.