In writing "Stigma often hinders lifesaving discussion" for The Tennessean on Sept. 17, Dr. Dennis Morrison offers us more recycled bromides concerning suicide and the state of mental health.

I honestly thought I was reading a carefully crafted list of talking points from either the National Institute of Mental Health or a pharmaceutical giant like Eli Lilly.



Morrison says depression and hopelessness is a "common emotional factor" in why people kill themselves. We must tie this factor to the individuals who go to the doctor and state they have feelings of depression. Unfortunately, that very young child or adult or senior probably is given a dangerous medication from among 15 their doctor serves as a consultant for. Look around your doctor's office and notice if the clock on the wall bears the name of Paxil, or the pen you use to check in has Zoloft written all over it. Chances are, your doctor puts the interests of Big Pharma above yours.

When we look at college-age students, I have a hard time believing that in certain surveys "more than half of American college students have considered suicide at some points in their lives." There's a big difference between emotionally fueled consideration and objective planning. These statistics are extremely subjective and are more sizzle than steak. Interestingly, today's youth from elementary school through college are often taught America is a bad country. They are often taught death and dying in the classroom! What should they think?

Whatever they think, they realize a plethora of resources exist to help them deal with feelings of depression. In fact, no stigma exists to deny us mental-health services. I believe that the opposite is true: If you dare challenge Big Pharma, you will be labeled as insensitive. Uncaring. Uneducated.

No one is immune from the long reach of those selling depression. Even seniors. Morrison tells us "the problem of suicide is far more prevalent than many wish to think." Seniors are drugged with a plethora of antidepressants. The truth is, antidepressants increase suicidal ideation.

At no time in our history have more people been prescribed drugs to deal with their feelings. You really have to wonder: "What doesn't constitute mental illness or a program to try to prevent suicide?" And you have to wonder why we don't put more focus on drugs that are increasing suicidal ideation among those that take them after an appointment with their doctor. Hello? This is where the true stigma rests.