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Bush's plan to screen for mental health meets opposition in Illinois

BMJ 2004; 329 doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7474.1065-a (Published 4 November 2004)
Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:1065.2

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  1. Jeanne Lenzer
  1. New York

    A comprehensive mental health screening plan developed in concert with President Bush's New Freedom Commission (BMJ 2004;328:1458, 19 June) has met with fierce resistance in Illinois, the first state to develop a draft plan to coordinate services for children's mental health care.

    In April 2003, a report by the Illinois Children's Mental Health Task Force, which recommended screening for all pregnant women and all children, triggered fierce controversy. Opponents charged that mandatory screening could subject children to unwanted psychiatric interventions and drugs—drugs that are under increased scrutiny because of unproven efficacy and high rates of adverse side effects.

    Barbara Shaw, …

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