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Mental Health Awareness Month Skipped Akathisia.
We Didn't.
Just as pharmaceutical ads should be transparent about serious risks, so, too, should mental health and suicide prevention nonprofits. Yet May's Mental Health Awareness Month passed by with barely a mention of akathisia and psychiatric adverse drug effects. In our recent press release, Wendy Dolin, founder of MISSD said:
"Many people have never heard the word akathisia until it affects them or someone they love. Recognition is the first step toward prevention."
MISSD's Rapid Response in the BMJ
Along with the new video, we're pleased that the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published our Rapid Response this week.
We’ve received thousands of reports over the past 15 years describing sudden, uncharacteristic changes after medication initiation, dose changes, or withdrawal. Medical research has repeatedly linked antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and various other medications to akathisia and disturbances in thoughts and behavior.
When the BMJ editorial on suicide risk assessment failed to include akathisia, we spoke up for patient safety:
"Suicide risk assessment should include questions about current medications, recent changes, and new or unusual symptoms."
"Asking the right questions can make a life-or-death difference."
"This patient safety gap needs to close."
— MISSD, BMJ, 2026
Full BMJ Response — Medication-induced akathisia: An overlooked contributor to suicide risk and iatrogenic harm
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Let's call it what it is—akathisia.
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