Another interesting local event, guaranteed to expand your consciousness.
Please pass on to other interested groups, as it is open to the public.

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Students for Equal Health presents:

"Is America Driving You Crazy?"
A look at mental health in the United States

Presented by Stephen Bezruchka, MD, MPH
Senior Lecturer
Department of Health Services
School of Public Health and Community Medicine

October 16, 2006
7pm Kane Hall Rm. 130

Event Description: The United States of America has the most mental illness of
all countries studied as well as the most serious mental illness. We have
highest rates of prescriptions for anti-depressants and the growth market is in
using these drugs for pre-school age kids. We have the most mental illness
treatment facilities. Almost a quarter of college students attending counseling
centers were on psychiatric medicines in 2003-4, up from 9% in 1994

Is the system working? Why does America have such a lead in mental illness?
Bezruchka will review the studies on mental illness in society and show that
the way we have structured our country to give ever more to the rich while
instilling hope among the poor that some will trickle down is in large part
responsible for this crazy state of affairs. The medicine we need is social
and economic justice, and it needs to be taken early in life to be effective.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Stephen Bezruchka has been a faculty member in the School of Public Health
at the University of Washington since 1993. He has spent over 10 years in Nepal
working in various health programs and teaching in remote regions. Currently he
works as an emergency room physician in several hospitals around the Seattle
area. He received the School's Outstanding Teacher Award in 2002 and works
with the Population Health Forum to help people understand the impact of social
and economic policies on the health of societies.

website: students.washington.edu/seh1
email: seh1@...



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