Many people deserve access to anti-depressant drugs yet they are powerless when it comes to attaining them from insurance companies. In 2008, the United States government passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act; this stated that health plans are required to provide coverage for mental disorders for the same amount as physical disorders (Adams, Johnson 1). However, insurance companies are finding loopholes to the law by making it harder and more expensive for people with mental illnesses to receive coverage. The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that fewer than half of the 45.9 million people with a mental illness receive coverage, since treatment for mental illnesses tend to cost more than physical illnesses (Domenici, Smith 2). However, by covering this in insurance, there would be a better chance in decreasing the amount of people with depression. Evidently, the United States should enforce this law and also have insurance companies provide treatment.
The use of these anti-depressant drugs in adolescents is widely controversial even though these drugs will help them in the long run. Researchers discovered that by taking anti-depressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI’s, there have been decreases in negative traits which were originally thought only to be treatable over years of counseling. What makes them work is that they chemically alter the brain that creates negative thoughts rather than just lessening the symptoms of depression (Healy 1). Because 1 in 4 young people aged 16 to 24 experience mental health problems, these SSRI’s could help them (Mayoh 3). However, some consider these drugs to be harmful to children, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and most adolescent psychologists. Although the anti-depressants are not addictive, the physical effects of these anti-depressants include nausea, headaches, drop in appetite, or sleep disturbance. These people say that teenagers could begin to feel like they need these drugs all the time, but depression is simply a chemical imbalance and it is not their fault that they need them. The Kids and Co. Clinical Psychology say that these drugs work for some teenagers but not for all, a good compromise to the controversy (Mayoh 2). If teenagers do take these drugs, they should be monitored for the first month to see if the drugs are working properly (Ibid). Clearly, the safety and well-being of adolescents from anti-depressant drugs is more important than any side effect or opposing view.
The use of these anti-depressant drugs in adolescents is widely controversial even though these drugs will help them in the long run. Researchers discovered that by taking anti-depressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI’s, there have been decreases in negative traits which were originally thought only to be treatable over years of counseling. What makes them work is that they chemically alter the brain that creates negative thoughts rather than just lessening the symptoms of depression (Healy 1). Because 1 in 4 young people aged 16 to 24 experience mental health problems, these SSRI’s could help them (Mayoh 3). However, some consider these drugs to be harmful to children, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and most adolescent psychologists. Although the anti-depressants are not addictive, the physical effects of these anti-depressants include nausea, headaches, drop in appetite, or sleep disturbance. These people say that teenagers could begin to feel like they need these drugs all the time, but depression is simply a chemical imbalance and it is not their fault that they need them. The Kids and Co. Clinical Psychology say that these drugs work for some teenagers but not for all, a good compromise to the controversy (Mayoh 2). If teenagers do take these drugs, they should be monitored for the first month to see if the drugs are working properly (Ibid). Clearly, the safety and well-being of adolescents from anti-depressant drugs is more important than any side effect or opposing view.
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