In a scathing press release issued today, Mental Health America chastises the FDA for issuing warnings on antidepressants, an action the organization says may have led to a rising teenage suicide rate that was reported in the latest edition of Pediatrics (subscription required).

“It is too premature to draw conclusions related to the causes of this increase. However, it could be related to actions of the FDA,” says the group, which describes itself in the press release as the United States’ “leading non-profit that’s dedicated to helping ALL people (their emphasis) live mentally healthier lives.”

So if it’s premature, why say it? Meanwhile, here’s something left unsaid: The release doesn’t mention what you can find on the web site, which is that seven big drugmakers that sell treatments for depression and schizophrenia each contributed beween $100,000 and $1 million, according to the group’s 2005 annual report.

Mental illness is a terrible afflication and anything legitimate that can be used to relieve, if not cure, the disease is welcome. But given the ongoing hoopla over hidden agendas, a dose of transparency would also be welcome. Reached by phone, a spokeswoman would only say that “we don’t think it’s relevant to this topic.”

[tags]Antidepressants, Mental Health America, Pediatrics, Teen Suicide[/tags]