Over the past weeks, the safety of pediatric psychiatric care has come under fire from various sources. Messages in the media have circled around whether the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, commonly called SSRIs, have undergone appropriate scrutiny, prompting some fear among parents and caregivers. Furthermore, there’s been claims that SSRIs are addictive, in the same category as narcotics, such as heroin. Several of the routine Selective Serotonin Re-upatake Inhibitors (SSRI) have been approved by the FDA and have been studied extensively for their safety and potential for adverse side effects among youth. There are exactly three SSRIs that are FDA approved for children and adolescents: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro) while others are prescribed off-label for children and adolescents. While treatment plans may include medications, the over all plan for mental health and wellness should occur in collaboration with parents and their psychiatric provider and pediatrician.
What is at stake?
Partners for Children’s Mental Health shares that the leading cause of death among Colorado youth is suicide, heightening awareness to mental health providers and parents that the need to assess and treat mental health issues is a great need.
- In Colorado, suicide the #1 cause of death for youth age 10-14 years old
- In Colorado, suicide the #1 cause of death for youth age 15-19
- In Colorado, suicide is the #2 cause of death for young adults age 20-24
Furthermore, only 22% of children and adolescents who have severe mental illness receive care.
Providing Safe Care
When it comes to providing psychiatric medication management for youth, there are a limited number of medications approved by the FDA for treatment of childhood mental illnesses which can include pediatric depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder amongst other diagnoses.
Prescribing medications for children and adolescents is not taken lightly or recommended hastily, as often youth are struggling in multiple areas of life – at home, at school, in their “work life” aka play, to warrant intervening with medication. Medication in Colorado can be prescribed by pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. It is best practice to trial evidence-based therapy for youth prior to medications, though finding a therapist who works with kids can be a challenge. Thankfully, the state of Colorado has many organizations like the Second Wind Fund and iMatter program to connect Colorado youth and families with available therapists – all that is needed is a referral from a parent, school or medical provider.
Why Should We Care?
Stigmatizing and incomplete messages about the safety and efficacy of medications further marginalizes youth struggling with mental health disorders. Parents want to do right for their children and are looking to medical organizations to provide clear guidance on safe medications and supplements for their children.
As a profession that provides care and advocates for the mental wellbeing of Colorado youth, we want to ensure that people have accurate information. To date there have not been studies indicative of addiction related to SSRIs for youth or adults. Your mental health provider and psychiatric nurse practitioner will be able to provide information regarding the safety and efficacy of psychotropic medications or supplements that may be recommended for your child or young adult. Bring your questions and concerns to your visits and your provider will be able to clarify information seen in the media.
Our team at Haelen Mental Health is here to provide evaluation and clear evidence for recommendations for children, adolescents and young adults brought into our care.
For more information on SSRIs, click below:
Mental Health Medications for Children Fact Sheet: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/mental-health-medications-for-children
Fluoxetine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223/
Sertraline: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689/
Escitalopram: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557734/
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/
Partners for Children’s Mental Health: https://pcmh.org/childrens-mental-health/
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