May 18, 2007

One-sided slant on psychiatry

One-sided slant on psychiatry

Letter to John Wilpers, Publisher of Boston NOW.

I noticed two articles within two days by Scott Wachtler promoting
psychiatry. I am aware of the control of the public discourse on psychiatry by
the big four -- the drug corporations, the psychiatric industry, the human
services industry and the academic research industry. There are great unreported
abuses by psychiatrists.
Regarding "Massachusetts missing courts for mentally ill," May 10, 2007,
page 6, having separate courts for persons with disabilities is an egregious
violation of state and US discrimination laws. I am aware of the extreme
negative bias among lawyers, journalists, police, judges and the court system
toward persons accused of mental illness. Having a separate court for certain
hated persons does not mitigate the abuses by psychiatrists. All persons are
entitled to the same due process protections. There are no exceptions in the
constitution for persons accused of mental illness.
Regarding "Children's mental health system fractured," May 8, 2007, page 6,
here again is the industry focus on promoting drug treatment instead of
protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The drug companies hide
behind a made up grass roots organization called NAMI which gets $2 to $3
million per year from drug corporations to promote drug treatment. The state
Dept. of Mental Health also promotes drug treatment. How is the MA DMH different
from a lobbyist for drug companies?

Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA