The depression got really bad. A recent death in the family, combined with other past trauma, eventually led to the student being put on medication. Then that student came to GILA.

            This student, like about 1.6 million other students around the United States, takes medication for emotional and behavioral issues and attends classes everyday. That student may be sitting next to you.

            Hyperactivity, lack of concentration, difficulty with memory, nervous condition, or depression are typical reasons for people to be placed on medications. 

            Can students or parents reject the medication if they want to?

            “Yes, they can,” said Mr. Francis LaBounty, counselor at GILA. “However, state or federal laws may require certain types of medications must be given.”

            Mr. LaBounty added that often after being put on medication, the student often doesn’t mind.

            The process that the schools and students have to go through from diagnosis to getting medication in school has several steps. First, student must meet with a qualified professional like a psychiatrist or a doctor after an appropriate referral. Second, if medication is prescribed, the school officials should be notified. Third, qualified school officials are given approval to dispense the medication.

             “Since there is a vast array of behavioral issues and subsequent medications prescribed for such issues, it is difficult to explain one way of dealing with students on medication,” said Mr. LaBounty.

            “Each student is an individual with unique problems, emotional and/or chemical. One must also take into account type of medication being taken. Often medications are prescribed and taken in combination with other medications. A good rule of thumb is to always accept and treat others as you would wish to be treated.”