Handout at WC’s Leg & Policy Committee presentation

(January 13, 2011)

Some thoughts prior to my meeting with the Legislative and Policy Committee regarding their likely response to Robert Whitaker’s book and to my action recommendation to the Council.

1. To what extent are Council members already aware of evidenced-based
long-term scientific studies and the significance of their findings?

2. Are Council members aware that such long-term outcome studies exist
for all the major mental health maladies, including schizophrenia,
depression, bipolar, anxiety, ADHD?

3. How many Council members have read either both or perhaps one of
Whitaker’s books on these long-term studies – Anatomy of an Epidemic,
Mad in America? If, so how many were already aware of these findings?

4. What do Council members know about Robert Whitaker? His education,
training, work before becoming a journalist, etc, and his reputation
as a science investigator reporter or writer? Awards?

5. If a member has read the book what level of credibility, scholarship and
respect do they have for Whitaker’s investigative and research style?
Did they find the book easy to read and interesting and appropriate for
most lay people and informed citizens?

6. Who do Council members believe would be the most objective and fair
group to evaluate these long-term mental health findings if not the
Council members themselves?

7. What understanding do members already have about how psychiatric
drugs affect long-term patient community adjustment and health?

8. Are Council members aware that mental illness has tripled over the
past two decades 1990 – 2010?

9. How many Council members are aware that due to mental illness every
day 1,100 adults and children are added to the government
disability rolls?

10. Where on “the most important scale” for Council members should
information of this kind be treated?