Archive for Canada

Expert warns of ‘perfect storm’ as the number of police shootings increases in 2022 — (MSN.com)
‘Like a zombie’: Ontario group home chain accused of overmedicating kids in care — (Global News)
Calgary conference aims to raise awareness on medical overdiagnosis — (Calgary Herald)
Trial begins for man accused of first-degree murder in Winston Littlecrow’s death — (Ottawa Citizen)
SSRI Ed note: Youth on antidepressants and stimulants fatally shoots father of 5, is charged but cannot be named.
Kitchener man found not criminally responsible for stabbing parents — (The Kitchener Record)
SSRI Ed note: Man on psych drugs for 7 years becomes paranoid, delusional, attacks parents, gets diagnosed with schizophrenia. Mental illness, not meds blamed. Locked up.
Accused in fatal truck attack on Muslim family asks London, Ont., court for legal aid; Nathaniel Veltman, 20, faces 4 counts of murder, 1 count of attempted murder — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Young man on Zoloft/sertraline retrofits truck for combat, drinks, runs down a family out for an evening walk, killing 5. Anti-Muslim sentiment blamed.
Man who stabbed two students in Abbotsford, B.C., found criminally responsible — (MSN.com)
SSRI Ed note: Suicidal man treated for depression, personbality disorder randomly stabs 2 strangers. Court finds him CR, never asks about potential role of medications.
Family of teen who died by suicide says psychiatrist appointment came too late — (The Times Colonist)
SSRI Ed note: Teen quits taking antidepressants on his own because they were "not working", deteriorates, dies by suicide a month later.
‘Dad would never hurt mom intentionally’: Toronto man, 82, apologizes for strangling Helen Fronczak, his wife of nearly 60 years — (Toronto Star)
SSRI Ed note: Man given antidepressants after tragedy is withdrawn, lethargic, strangles beloved wife in fit of delirium, no memory after. Media sees domestic violence.
Gunman killed, woman hostage freed unharmed after standoff in Detroit — (The Detroit News)
SSRI Ed note: Man diagnosed with bipolar stops taking his medication, takes his girlfriend hostage, has standoff with police, is shot and killed.
Trial begins for B.C. mother accused of drugging and drowning her 7-year-old daughter — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Mother on cannabis, benzodiazepines and alcohol drugs and drowns her 7-yr old, lies face down in tub after 2 relationship breakdowns, several suicide attempts.
‘He was the best guy’: Questions, grief and advocacy follow suicide deaths — (The Toronto Star)
SSRI Ed note: "terrific" man quits taking antidepressants that didn't help "cold turkey", falls into a terrible state, dies by suicide a week later.
Antidepressant prescribing for Canadian youth has increased: study — (CTV News/Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology)
SSRI Ed note: In Canada, antidepressant prescriptions for children 18 and younger increased 36% from 2012 to 2016, mostly fluoxetine.
Mother of man killed by cops after calling 911 says police service hasn’t ‘even apologized’ — (CTV News)
SSRI Ed note: Young man on psych meds for a decade predictably suffers problems, calls 911, police come over, shoot and kill him, face no consequences.
Woman with mental health problems admits to killing her mother — (Montreal Gazette)
SSRI Ed note: Woman with long exposure to psych meds suffers significant thought disturbance, hostile to her mom, prepares for invasion by hostile org, stabs mom to death.
Woman with mental health problems admits to killing her mother — (Montreal Gazette)
Ontario court throws out law barring self-induced intoxication as defence for sexual assault — (The National Post)
SSRI Ed note: Man overdoses on Wellbutrin, decides his elderly mother is an alien, stabs and almost kills her.
Protest held in Fort Saskatchewan after man charged in death of infant son granted bail — (Global News)
SSRI Ed note: Man 23 yrs on psych meds, incl antipsychotic + 2 ADs, no diagnosis, extreme akathisia, told to stop meds, attacks kids in nightmare, kills 1-yr-old boy.
Mental illness caused MUN student to attempt murder on Signal Hill in St. John’s, judge says — (The Telegram)
SSRI Ed note: Intelligent engineering student takes antidepressants, tries to jump off cliff with friend, gets 4 years for attempted murder. Judge blames mental illness.
What Happened to Elisa Lam, Who Was Found Dead on the Roof of an L.A. Hotel in a Water Tank? — (Yahoo)
SSRI Ed note: Tourist prescribed toxic combo (Wellbutrin,+Lamictal+Seroquel+Effexor) for "bipolar" acts strangely, tries to reduce, has psychotic episode, dies in water tank.
B.C. mother convicted of killing 8-year-old girl to appeal verdict — (CTV News Vancouver)
SSRI Ed note: Woman on antidepressants is suicidal, can't cope, kills daughter, drives into ditch, confesses to police. Gets 15+ yrs. Believes mental illness responsible.
Matthew Bernard, suspect in Blake Bivens family killings, put on suicide watch — (New York Post)
SSRI Ed note: Young man "battling mental health issues" becomes psychotic, murders 3, runs naked while resisting arrest. Akathisia?
Psychiatrist says Silva Koshwal should be held responsible for ex-girlfriend’s murder — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Man on antidepressants, sleeping pills., illegal drugs and alcohol brutally murders, dismembers ex, claims not to remember anything.
Supreme Court Justice Gascon attributes disappearance to depression, anxiety — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Supreme Court Justice, long-time user of antidepressants changes medications, goes missing, cannot explain his actions.
Troubling Details Uncovered In Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect Robert Bowers Past — (KDKA CBS Pittsburgh)
SSRI Ed note: Man with "medical" history incl. police call re: suicide threat posts hate messages, collects guns, shoots 15, kills 11. "Mental health records confidential."
New records reveal Danforth shooter was reclusive, battled mental illness — (The Globe & Mail)
SSRI Ed note: Man on antidepressants, drugged since childhood despite parents' claim that "medications & therapy unable to treat" him, shoots 15 on Danforth, killing 2.
OPP overhauling mental supports in wake of suicides, Widow wants force to set aside time for officers to talk about difficult calls — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Capable, respected police officer with happy home life, feels down, takes antidepressants, dies by suicide, an act totally out of character.
Death of a Calgary titan: The spectacular rise and tragic fall of George Gosbee — (Globe and Mail Magazine)
SSRI Ed note: Successful entrepreneur diagnosed, prescribed a stimulant, later an antidepressant, drinks more, attempts suicide, splits with wife, later dies by suicide.
Colorado family gunned down in road rage incident — (The Worcester, Massacheusetts Telegram)
SSRI Ed note: Young man starts new prescription medication for "mental health issues", shoots 4 people in road rage incident, killing one.
Death by suicide of paramedic who rushed to Quebec City mosque attack shines light on trauma risks for first-responders — (The Star)
SSRI Ed note: Paramedic, traumatized by treating the victims of Quebec mosque shooting, quits her job, is prescribed antidepressants, dies by suicide 3 months later.
Her husband took his own life after he was bullied on the job. Robert Duhaime’s employer denies bullying, but Workers’ Compensation Board has ruled differently — (CBC)
SSRI Ed note: Man on medication for anxiety and depression is bullied at work, dies by suicide. Medication not considered a potential factor.
Selma Blair pours heart out about battling alcoholism and depression — and hoping to land good roles again — (Yahoo Entertainment)
SSRI Ed note: Actress taking medication for "four years of postpartum depression" and “crippling anxiety" drinks on airplane, has meltdown, has to be carried off.
‘I was sobbing uncontrollably’: Patients say antidepressants difficult to quit — (CBC Radio)
SSRI Ed note: Two women describe the hellish experience of withdrawal after tapering off antidepressants, including the many terrible side effects.
Edmonton teen’s group-home suicide came decade after changes recommended, fatality inquiry finds — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Ward of state on psych meds incl. antidepressants hates meds, misses brothers. is suicidal, self-harms, hangs herself. Problem ID'd is not enough process.
DNA on drugs: How genetic tests could make prescriptions more precise — (The Globe and Mail)
SSRI Ed note: Pharmacogenetic testing reveals who cannot metobolize meds incl. antidepressants, and will likely be harmed. Such tests should be done prior to prescribing.
Toronto Man Leaves Heart-Wrenching Suicide Letter Naming Ativan as Murderer After Suffering Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome for 3 Years — (Benzodiazepine Information Coalition)
SSRI Ed note: Man, 68, has life destroyed by benzodiazepine withdrawal. Tries tor 3 years to recover, fails, finally decides he cannot live that way, dies by suicide.
This brilliant Ottawa tech pioneer had wealth and a wonderful family. His suicide shocked everyone. — (The Ottawa Citizen)
SSRI Ed note: Stressed entrepreneur has breakdown, is prescribed anti-anxiety med, dies by suicide 6 mo later. Everyone shocked.
Joshua Boyle appears in court, case adjourned until next week — (Global News)
SSRI Ed note: Rescued man, "no criminal record", "never been in trouble with police" charged with assault, administering "noxious" Trazodone. Wife blames strain and trauma.
Christopher Garnier tells murder trial Catherine Campbell asked him to choke her — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Man on antidepressant sees violent images, father on same med has nightmares, murders a woman during sex, cannot remember. He suspects drug, noone believes.
Edmond man, 18, ordered to trial in fatal shooting of stepmother — (The Oklahoman)
SSRI Ed note: Teen on antidepressants, stimulants and marijuana bludgeons and shoots his step mom to death for no reason. "What triggered the killing isn't known". Really?
‘I defended myself’: accused claims mental illness in Maxi grocery murder — (CTV Montreal)
SSRI Ed note: Man medicated for "anxiety and depression" becomes paranoid, stops taking meds, murders grocery clerk. Mental illness blamed.
Antidepressants may raise death risk by a third — (Medical News Today)
SSRI Ed note: Researchers find that taking antidepressants, which disrupt body biochemistry, raises mortality risk dramatically (by one third).
Renowned yoga teacher Michael Stone dies after drug overdose in Victoria — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Wellness guru is diagnosed with bipolar, medicated, gets worse,"more desperate", turns to opioids, dies of overdose.
Mother speaks out after SIU lays no charges in son’s police shooting death — (The Star)
SSRI Ed note: Man diagnosed schizophrenic at 18 stops meds, has serious withdrawal reaction, is erratic, commits theft, is shot, killed by police. Shooting "justified".
Elizabeth Wettlaufer pleads guilty to all charges in killing of 8 seniors — (Global News)
SSRI Ed note: Nurse on antidepressants, neuroleptics, has periodic urges to kill people ("red surges"), acts on them, feels terrible guilt, turns herself in.
Hannah Leflar’s killer has ‘psychopathic tendencies,’ expert testifies — (CBC News)
SSRI Ed note: Teen, 16, prescribed antidepressants, has hallucinations that continue after he stops meds. executes plan to kill ex-girlfriend. Diagnosed a psychopath.
A son’s battle, a family’s fight: Parents grieving son they say was lost in mental health-care system — (The Regina Leader-Post)
SSRI Ed note: Teen drugged with antidepressants. other psych meds on/off for 3 yrs attempts suicide several times, finally succeeds, mom concludes youth need more than meds.
Horrible suffering became too much for Adam Maier-Clayton — (The Windsor Star)
SSRI Ed note: Where do the lies about mental illness, and the damage done "treating" it, lead? To belief there is no recovery. To loss of hope & death of many bright lights.
Jayme Pasieka went on a murderous rampage and his victims’ families may never know why — (The Edmonton Journal)
SSRI Ed note: Young man prescribed antidepressants for insomnia, anxiety, starts behaving strangely, later has a psychotic breakdown, stabs 5, killing 2. Gets life.
Forensic psychiatrist testifies at Leslie Black hearing — (Prince Albert Now)