A recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution
opined that "Depression exacts toll on men" and
"High-profile 'Blues Brothers' panelists urge men who
have depression to seek treatment."
These are big words trying to describe a condition
called depression which has become even bigger
business. May is Mental Health Month, so get ready for
tales of woe, contradictory statistics, and more.
What I did not expect is for men to be targeted as
much as they are these days. I think celebrities, the
National Institute of Mental Health, and
pharmaceutical companies need to stop selling
depression and drugs to men. How can it be wrong to
profile terrorists, but okay to profile a particular
gender as a profitable market for medications and
subjective mental health labels?
I'm sick and tired of walking through the Atlanta
Hartsfield-Jackson airport and seeing huge
"advertisements" from the National Institute of Mental
Health telling men we are not "real" if we do not
admit we are "depressed."
I mean, give me a break. I, and millions of other men
are not moved when the Mike Wallace's, Art Buchwald's
and William Styron's of the world reveal their
personal challenges to private events at treatment
centers moderated by other men in the news media, who
of course, have "suffered" from depression. Perhaps
this is why even men who fight fires and wash dishes
are now held up as heroes because they have
essentially - been medicated with antidepressants and
psychiatric drugs.
I'm furious at men who have chosen to reside in the
pockets of pharmaceutical companies and announce to
the world they are depressed. Pardon me, but who
hasn't ever been depressed in their life? Being
depressed these days almost seems like a red badge of
courage. It's extremely dangerous.
If you think I'm uncompassionate or worse, look at
what Pittsburg Steelers football legend Terry Bradshaw
is doing. This is dangerous. He has been going "on
tour" essentially selling depression and drugs - the
tour is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of
Paxil. Terry can't seem to say enough great things
about this drug. He is being paid an undisclosed
amount of money by GSK to target men to basically
admit they're depressed. Depressed to the point of
needing Paxil. Paxil is a powerful antidepressant
that has harmed both men, women and children. Men and
boys have long looked up to Terry Bradshaw. Think
this is why GSK has him on the road selling Paxil?
I do. And it makes me very sad to think the lies
about mental illness told by celebrities and others go
unchallenged. There is no "stigma" attached to being
depressed that prevents anyone from talking to a
therapist. The stigma is actually attached to those
of us who dare state it's not ethical to sell
depression and drugs to men as a test of their
manhood. Not to mention, ignore the fact children are
being prescribed the same drugs and nothing is said
about the deadly effects of these drugs.
Interestingly, we are always reading that men - are
depressed. We never really learn - why. We're
supposed to believe depression is medically a
diagnosis as routine as a broken femur. But hey, take
this sample and prescription. We'll talk about it
later.
While men have reasons to be depressed: biased family
courts and a media that portrays them as morons in
their own households, systematically diagnosing and
drugging men is not the answer.
Stop selling depression and drugs to men. It's not
right.
Zizza serves as Vice President/Georgia of
Parents For
Label and Drug Free Education.
He writes frequently about parenting issues.
Email comments to him at:
tz777@yahoo.com
