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Kids And Psychiatry
Year Published: 1982Resource Type: Serial Publication (Periodical) Cx Number: CX2397 "Phoenix Rising" is published quarterly by On Our Own, a group of ex-psychiatric patients. Kids and Psychiatry is a special insert in Volume 2, Number 2, on the treatment of troubled children. Abstract: "Phoenix Rising" is published quarterly by On Our Own, a group of ex-psychiatric patients. Kids and Psychiatry is a special insert in Volume 2, Number 2, on the treatment of troubled children. Of great concern is the overall lack of resources for children with emotional problems. In April, 1980, for example, 49 children's mental health centres in Ontario reported that they had 1700 children on their waiting lists. Children desperately needing intensive help have ended up, because of this lack of resources, in adult psychiatric wards (which are totally unsuited to their needs). In addition, many children must leave their home communities in order to obtain mental health services. Another issue highlighted is the use of drugs in the treatment of children. Statistics in Saskatchewan indicate increased use of drugs on children under the age of nine. Stimulants, anti-depressants, and minor tranquilizers, often regulated in institutions, are being overprescribed by family practitioners, especially in areas with few mental health facilities. The millions of dollars and large amounts of time spent "shunting children around the systems" may be having little effect. In September, 1980, Dr. Jalal Shamsie, Director of Research and Education at Thistletown Regional Centre for Children and Adolescents (outside Toronto), presented a review of 120 studies of various therapeutic techniques employed in the field of children's mental health. His conclusions were far from optimistic. The only real hope is prevention. But "in the present-day climate of cutbacks and tight money, children and children's services are expendable." Children cannot fight for their rights; "it is up to us to protect those rights, instead of neglecting our role as caretakers and guardians of the future." Poetry, articles on housing, psychiatric aftercare, Parents Anonymous and an international directory of "Psychiatric Inmates Liberation" organizations complete this issue of "Phoenix Rising." $5 per year. $1.50 single copy. Free to inmates of prisons and hospitals. Subject Headings |