Dear Bill Lichtenstein,

Here is a link to an article by David Healy:

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If you open up the article, go to Table One and then relisten to your show, I am not sure how you can equate some of the comments by the hosts to the facts, or to the “eloquent” (your word) article at STATS.org. Here is a quote from STATS.org “it is impossible to do clinical trials large enough to determine whether these are more common amongst people taking SSRI medications,” As Healy and others have shown this is simply false. In fact, not only is it possible, it has already been done. In the clinical trials submitted to the FDA, in adults, for virtually every antidepressant studied there is an increase in suicidality, and in contrast to what the guest on your show said, some did commit suicide. As Tom Laughren, from the FDA stated, in 2004, “The data in aggregate indicate an increased risk of suicidality, in pediatric patients.” According to STATS.org, he is apparently wrong or at least has a different definition of “data.”

In regards to your reference to the STATS.org piece which said, “With regard to the Lilly story, I would defer to the STATS.org article, which found that Lenzer's questionable reporting on that story, put "on balance, more lives at stake." This comment by STATS.org is clearly an opinion. And it seems to be the opinion by someone who has made up their mind that there is no link between suicide and the SSRIs. Opinions are fine (we all have them) but the discrepancy in your show was about facts. If you had discussed all the facts correctly on your show and then made an opinion I don’t think anyone would have had a problem with that. Thanks, A frustrated Jon Leo