I’ve been fairly stressed out this week.
The state of the American economy, the housing market, health insurance (or lack thereof), my yet-to-be paid off student loans – in other words, money (or again, lack thereof) – all have me freaking out just a bit about my future and my country’s future.
I didn’t used to worry about things like this. Of course, I don’t remember a time in my life when things ever seemed this bad.
Anyone else feeling the stress? Have some suggestions for mellowing out? I’d love to hear them.
In the meantime, let’s check out what’s going on in the …read more

Warning: Rant follows below, after the jump.
Back in August, I told you about the Consumers Union Cover America Tour – the campaign geared toward putting faces on the Americans who don’t have health insurance, who can’t afford their prescription medications, or who otherwise have problems finding affordable and quality health care.
During that post, I pointed out two specific stories: Tom’s story, the man who began experiencing depression from the pain and hopelessness of his health problems and high cost of health care, and Kathy’s story, the woman who compared not being able to pay for her diabetes medicine as “committing …read more

Back in April, I told you about the Consumers Union Prescription for Change and its mission to “urge the FDA to require the same MedWatch 1-800 number given in print drug advertisements to also be given during television drug advertisements, as well as Web site information.”
Today, I want to introduce you to a new Consumers Union campaign, the Cover America Tour.
From the Web site:
The Cover America Tour, sponsored by Consumer Reports Health, will roam the country this summer, putting faces on the flaws in our broken health care system. At every stop, we’ll videotape Americans talking about the challenges they’ve …read more

If you missed Wednesday’s post about Prescription for Change, the Consumers Union petition to the FDA to make it easier for consumers to report side effects of medications, I highly recommend checking it out.
In other drug news, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Programs now have a total of three “AZ & Me” prescription assistance programs (particularly interesting for those of you who take Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
Mental Health America has issued another call to action for us. This one regards proposed cuts in Medicaid funding for rehabilitative, case management, and school administrative services – all of which include mental health services …read more

One of my mottoes has always been, “If you want something done, get up and do the damn thing.” Having that mentality is definitely one of the reasons I love grassroots movements and advocacy.
It’s also definitely one of the reasons I love passing along information about said grassroots movements and advocacy to you lovely people.
A couple of weeks after the Grab Drug Advertisements By The Pills series here at Mental Health Notes, I received an email from Consumers Union Grassroots Organizer Daniela Nunez about their recent petition to the FDA for better reporting of drug side effects. The Appropriately labeled …read more