This study found that, after the FDA required a black-box warning on antidepressants outlining the possible suicide risk in children, antidepressant use declined sharply over all age groups--including but not limited to children.  The authors conclude that risk communications strategies must be re-considered to ensure intended results. 

Busch, S. H., & Barry, C. L. (2009). Pediatric antidepressant use after the black-box warning. Health Affairs, 28(3), 724-33. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.724 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/724

Authors: Susan H. Busch, Colleen L. Barry.

This study found no evidence that use of antipsychotic medication in long-term care facilities was associated with increased hospital events or mortality.   

Simoni-Wastila, L., P. T. Ryder, et al. (2009). Association of antipsychotic use with hospital events and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries residing in long-term care facilities. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 17(5), 417-27. DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e31819b8936 http://journals.lww.com/ajgponline/Abstract/2009/05000/Association_of_Antipsychotic_Use_With_Hospital.9.aspx

This article examines the well-being of mentally ill Americans.  The authors find that access to care and financial protections have improved; however, those results have been limited to certain populations.  Access to care for individuals with mental health impairments appears to have been declined.  Additionally, the authors estimate that at least 7 percent of the population with serious and persistent mental illness is incarcerated.

Glied, S. A., & Frank, R. G. (2009). Better but not best: recent trends in the well-being of the mentally ill. Health Affairs, 28(3), 637-48. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.637 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/short/28/3/637 

Authors:  Sherry A. Glied, Richard G. Frank.

The article explores the shift in prescription coverage for dual eligible mental health patients from Medicaid to Medicare Part D in 2006.  The authors note that a reduction in the number of plans and increases utilization of psychotropic drugs raises concerns about access to medication for individuals with mental illness.  The authors suggest possible changes to Medicare's enrollment and risk-sharing systems. 

Donohue, J. M., H. A. Huskamp, et al. (2009). Dual eligibles with mental disorders and Medicare part D: how are they faring? Health Affairs, 28(3), 746-59. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.746 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/746 

This articles examines the use of a controversial prior authorization policy in the Michigan Medicaid program on antidepressant use and and health outcomes for dually eligible Medicaid and Medicare enrollees with a Social Security Disability Insurance designation of permanent disability.  The study found that prior authorization was associated with increased use of preferred drugs with no evidence of adverse events among new users; however, there were unintended effects on treatment initiation and switching among patients already taking the drug. 

Adams, A. S., F. Zhang, et al. (2009). Prior authorization for antidepressants in Medicaid: effects among disabled dual enrollees. Arch Intern Med., 169(8), 750-6.  http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/8/750

Authors: Alyce S. Adams, Fang Zhang, Robert F. LeCates, Amy Johnson Graves, Dennis Ross-Degnan, Daniel Gilden, Thomas J. McLaughlin, Christine Lu, Connie M. Trinacty, Stephen B. Soumerai.

This study examined health service access among children of different racial/ethnic groups, finding that, among other results, counseling accessing was lower among non-Latino/a Black children than for non-Latino/a white children.  In addition, both private insurance and lack of insurance were negatively associated with counseling access.  The authors note that both privately insured and uninsured children had less access to needed mental health counseling than did those with public insurance, emphasizing the importance of Medicaid and SCHIP in children's mental health. 

Wells, R., M. M. Hillemeier, et al. (2009). Health service access across racial/ethnic groups of children in the child welfare system. Child Abuse Negl, 33(5), 282-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19481260 

Authors: Rebecca Wells, Marianne M. Hillemeier, Yu Bai, Rhonda Belue.