Resident invites public to forum on psychotropic medications for children, proposes informed-consent bill

During public comment, Jen Lucas invited community members to a public presentation on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at Avenue 795 featuring Dr. Jeremy Schengen of Wellness Way, who will discuss antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications commonly prescribed to children.

Lucas said she has personal family experience and described concerns she has found in her research about side effects, including headaches and increased suicidality in some cases. "Medications for depression and anxiety in children can often cause the same, and one of the main ones as you all talk about school safety is, a significant increase in suicidality and homicidality," Lucas said, attributing the assertion to her presentation material and to a group she identified as working with Assemblyman Lindy Bridal.

Lucas said she is "working on getting a psychologist to speak" and that she and her assemblyman are drafting a bill that would require a signed form showing that patients (and parents) understand the side effects when these medications are prescribed to minors. Lucas invited counselors, teachers and other community members to attend and said she hopes schools will be part of the outreach.

Her remarks were presented as a community invitation and a policy proposal under development; the board did not take action on the matter during the meeting.