By: Christina England (See Fundraiser below)

Are Statistics Deliberately Being Merged to Peddle Drugs?

According to reports, there has been a sudden increase in the number of children suffering from a mental health disorder.

In a report written by The National Library of Medicine it stated that:

“Nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder, and suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019. Mental health challenges were the leading cause of death and disability in this age group. These trends were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

If true, then these figures are extremely worrying. However, how many of these children are actually being misdiagnosed? 

If children are being misdiagnosed, then it certainly would not be the first time.

In early 2000, a mental health screening initiative, titled Teenscreen, was introduced into schools, to detect early signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior in children and was introduced using a self-assessment questionnaire.

Back in 2011, Social Work Today reported that, Teenscreen had been introduced to approximately 600 sites in 38 states with documented success. They stated that:

“One of those sites, Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi, has an eight-year history with TeenScreen. Gloria Whitley, LCSW, social service coordinator for the school district, initiated a TeenScreen program in 2003 when, as the lone school social worker for all middle schools in Jackson, she realized many students capable of learning were dropping out. “

The report continued that:

“The structure of the TeenScreen program creates an atmosphere where kids want to participate. When they feel comfortable that what they say will be kept confidential, we have found that they are more willing to disclose issues they are facing. TeenScreen provides an opportunity for the student to have a private, positive conversation with an adult that they otherwise would never have,” Whitley explains.

An ad hoc referral process has traditionally identified adolescents with possible mental illness, where teachers, parents, or other students report potentially at-risk students. “We know that this process misses many suffering from mental illness,” says McGuire. The proactive stance taken by TeenScreen finds those who are suffering in silence because all adolescents are screened using a questionnaire about their emotional health.”

Although, initially Teenscreen was hailed a success, many reported that there were major flaws in the initiative and in 2012, Teenscreen was terminated.

What Were the Flaws?

In 2013, The Citizens Commission for Human Rights (CCHR) Florida wrote that:

“Why Teenscreen National Center, headquartered at Columbia University, terminated its psychiatric screening services at the end of last year still remains a mystery to a large extent. Teenscreen directors and spokespeople are absolutely mum on what happened exactly, but I came up with some highly probable reasons based on my internet research.”

The reporter continued that:

“David Schaffer and his team of researchers at Columbia University developed the Teenscreen program starting in 1999. Based on pseudo-scientific studies, they developed a questionnaire that screened for mental health disorders and suicidal tendencies in middle- and high school teens.

Investigative journalist Evelyn Pringle writes:

“The truth is the survey is a fraud and cannot diagnose mental illness in kids. ‘The normally developing child hardly stays the same long enough to make stable measurements. Adult criteria for illness can be difficult to apply to children and adolescents, when the signs and symptoms of mental disorders are often also the characteristics of normal development,’ according to the US Surgeon General in 1999.”

Upon “diagnosis” of mental health issues using this survey, Teenscreen would push different psychiatric drugs to “treat” the teens with at-risk suicidal behaviors and other disorders.”

If Pringle’s report is correct, then it would suggest that Teenscreen was never developed to help identify those children at risk of mental illness at all but instead, was developed to push psychiatric drugs onto vulnerable teenagers.

Sadly, even with Teenscreen terminated, evidence suggests that children and teenagers could still be at risk of being misdiagnosed.

Children as Young as Two are Being Diagnosed as Mentally Ill

In 2022, a report titled, Child and Adolescent Mental Health stated that:

“Globally, nearly 15% of young people ages 10-19 experience a mental health disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group.² In 2016, almost 20% of children in the United States ages 2-8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.³ In 2018-2019, about 15% of adolescents ages 12-17 years had a major depressive episode, 37% had persistent feelings  considered suicide.⁴

A study conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) showed that, between 2016 and 2020, the number of children ages 3-17 years diagnosed with depression grew by 27%.⁵” (Own emphasis)

However, are these children being diagnosed correctly?

The above report appears to indicate that children with behavioral and developmental disorders are now being classified as mentally ill.

If this is correct, then we need to consider whether or not the statistics of children with ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) and Autism, are now being merged together with the mental health statistics, to make it appear that there is a child mental health emergency?

Merging the Data

This certainly looks a possibility, because even in the DSM – 5, a clinical guidebook for the assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders, the lines between mental illness and ADHD and Autism appear to be blurred.

In section 3, of the DSM – 5, titled, DSM-5 Child Mental Disorder Classification it states that:

“3.1. New Childhood Mental Disorders Added to the DSM-5

3.1.1. Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD, under Neurodevelopmental Disorders)

Description. The DSM-5 communication disorders include a new condition for persistent difficulties in the social uses of verbal and nonverbal communication: social (pragmatic) communication disorder or SCD. SCD is characterized by a primary difficulty with pragmatics—the social use of language or communication—resulting in functional limitations in effective communication, social participation, development of social relationships, and academic achievement (see Table 5 for a description of DSM-5 SCD diagnostic criteria). Symptoms of SCD include difficulties in the acquisition and use of spoken language and inappropriate responses in conversation. Although diagnosis is rare for children younger than 4 years old, symptoms must be present in early childhood even if not recognized until later. Individuals with SCD have never had effective social communication. This new disorder cannot be diagnosed if social communication deficits are part of the two main characteristics of the new autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by (1) deficits in social communication and social interaction and (2) restricted repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities (RRBs). Because both components are required for an ASD diagnosis, SCD is diagnosed if no RRBs are present or there is no past history of RRBs. As described by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the symptoms of some patients diagnosed with DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) may meet the DSM-5 criteria for SCD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013c).”

Reading this, it certainly appears that something very underhand is going on.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) do not make things any clearer because they have replaced the term mental illness with mental disorder and in doing so appear to merge autism and ADHD with paitients who are mentally ill.

They state that:

“Disruptive behaviour and dissocial disorders

40 million people, including children and adolescents, were living with conduct-dissocial disorder in 2019 (1). This disorder, also known as conduct disorder, is one of two disruptive behaviour and dissocial disorders, the other is oppositional defiant disorder.  Disruptive behaviour and dissocial disorders are characterised by persistent behaviour problems such as persistently defiant or disobedient to behaviours that persistently violate the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms, rules, or laws. Onset of disruptive and dissocial disorders, is commonly, though not always, during childhood. Effective psychological treatments exist, often involving parents, caregivers, and teachers, cognitive problem-solving or social skills training.”

Their wording is very confusing because these disorders can also be associated with autism.

They continued that:

“Neurodevelopmental disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders are behavioural and cognitive disorders, that arise during the developmental period, and involve significant difficulties in the acquisition and execution of specific intellectual, motor, language, or social functions.

Neurodevelopmental disorders include disorders of intellectual development, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) amongst others. ADHD is characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning.  Disorders of intellectual development are characterised by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, which refers to difficulties with everyday conceptual, social, and practical skills that are performed in daily life. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) constitutes a diverse group of conditions characterised by some degree of difficulty with social communication and reciprocal social interaction, as well as persistent restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities.

Effective treatment options exist including psychosocial interventions, behavioural interventions, occupational and speech therapy. For certain diagnoses and age groups, medication may also be considered.”

After reading their document in full, it appears that even the WHO, are deliberately merging the terminology and therefore adding to the confusion.

The question is why? I will leave you to decide.

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Also by Christina England:

Are Vaccines, Hormones and Pregnant Women a Lethal Combination?

Pregnant Mothers are Being Misled about Vaccination During Pregnancy

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TLB Note: Christina has been writing health related articles for The Liberty Beacon Project for over a decade CLICK HERE to read more of her great articles.

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Christina’s Fundraiser

On September 7th 2024, I actually become a pensioner. I know, I can’t believe it either.

Today I am asking if anyone can please help my beautiful dog Shelby.

When she came to me, poor Shelby had endured an extremely difficult time. Her pelvis had been shattered and her back legs had been broken in several places.

We have no idea exactly how she had ended up so broken but we can only imagine.

I have had Shelby for five years. Despite being insured I have struggled to help her. Like the others (I care for nine rescue dogs), she has had the necessary treatment that she has required including an amputation and therapies. However, sadly I can do no more.

She now has a very sore elbow and shoulder. She urgently needs a scan and a fairly small procedure called a PRP injection or a Platelet Rich Plasma injection which my vet feels would really benefit her.

She is too old for surgery.

Please help me to support my beautiful girl Shelby, to get the help she needs as my insurance has been maxed out.

This is my Shelby fundraiser.

PayPal account [email protected]

Thank you

Christina

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About Christina England, BA Hons, Research Journalist and Author:

Christina was born and educated in London, U.K. She left school to work in a children’s library, specializing in storytelling and book buying. In 1978, Christina changed her career path to dedicate her time to caring for the elderly and was awarded the title of Care Giver of the Year for her work with the elderly in 1980.

After taking an A Level in Psychology and a BTEC in Learning Support, Ms. England spent many years researching vaccines and adverse reactions. She gained a Higher National Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies in 2010 and in 2016 she gained a BA Hons degree in Literature and Humanities. She currently writes for The Liberty Beacon on immunization safety and efficacy.

Christina England has co-authored the following books – Shaken Baby Syndrome or Vaccine Induced Encephalitis – Are Parents Being Falsely Accused? with Dr. Harold Buttram and Vaccination Policy and the UK Government: The Untold Truth with Lucija Tomljenovic PhD, which are sold on Amazon. She also compiled the book Shattered Dreams: The HPV Vaccine Exposed. Her website is Parents and Carers Against Medical Injustice

Image Credit: Photo (cropped) in Featured Image (top) – by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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