In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Jill and Martin Kingston, parents of Thomas Kingston, spoke publicly about their son’s death in February 2024.

According to reporting by AOL and the findings presented at inquest, Thomas had been prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) and later citalopram for work-related stress and insomnia. The coroner concluded that adverse effects associated with the medication contributed to his death, noting no prior evidence of suicidal intent.

In their interview, the Kingstons called for practical reforms aimed at improving patient safety. Their proposals include:

• Requiring patients to formally acknowledge documented SSRI risks, including the potential for severe behavioral side effects
• Encouraging the involvement of a trusted support person during medication initiation, dosage changes, or discontinuation
• Increasing public and professional awareness of serious adverse reactions such as akathisia

Akathisia is a medication-induced disorder characterized by severe inner restlessness, agitation, and distress. It is widely under-recognized and can precipitate impulsive self-harm, violence or suicide.

MISSD has long advocated for full risk disclosure, a buddy system to improve medication monitoring during prescribing and tapering, and greater recognition of medication-induced adverse effects. We have documented numerous coroner-acknowledged cases in which akathisia or antidepressant adverse effects were cited as contributing factors.

We urge health authorities to carefully consider the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report and to strengthen patient protections accordingly. Read the AOL article here: https://www.aol.com/parents-lady-gabriellas-husband-thomas-173002081.html,

Learn more by taking our free courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com.