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Canada.com
Canadian Press
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
FREDERICTON — A coroner’s inquest into the suicide of a New Brunswick teen has been told it’s important that all people helping someone at risk of suicide be aware of all drugs being used.
Many of the professionals helping Heather White were unaware the 16-year-old was on an antidepressant before she shot herself in November 2003.
The director of Addiction and Mental Health Services for the province says there is no protocol for doctors to alert Mental Health of antidepressant prescriptions.
Jean-Louis Bouchard says in many cases the drugs can actually remove the anxiety or fear blocking someone from acting on their suicidal thoughts.
White had been prescribed Celexa, which has since been linked to increased suicidal thoughts in children.
The inquest is expected to go to the coroner’s jury on Friday.