Wyoming Holds Hearing on the Link Between Psychiatric Drugs & Violence & Missing Data

March 3, 2025

Members of the Wyoming State Legislature’s House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee welcomed AbleChild last week to speak about the nation’s deteriorating mental health crisis in the aftermath of the murder/suicide at the hands of Byron, Wyoming mother Tranyelle Harshman.

With many still in shock over Harshman’s uncharacteristic violent deadly behavior, Members of the State Legislature seemed desperate to absorb information about the growing mental health crisis and what may be behind the violence that seems to be associated with prescribed psychiatric drugs.

AbleChild was invited to speak before the Committee and Chairwoman Rachel Rodriguez-Williams was not only welcoming but open to hearing the decades of research AbleChild brings to the psychiatric drug issue, especially because the Byron mother had been treated extensively with psychiatric drugs prior to the deadly attack.

While Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, in a knee-jerk reaction, seemed eager rush into increased mental health spending, cooler heads on the Committee thirsted for more detailed information about the drugs that are so easily prescribed and the adverse events associated with the drugs so rarely discussed.

With two decades of research under its belt, AbleChild was given unprecedented time to explain the current mental health situation in the United States and was able to provide legislators with detailed information about the possible adverse events associated with antidepressants, which now are the focus of the newly confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Of concern to AbleChild is the inability of states to make public all the mental health data of those perpetrating violent deadly acts. Too often, psychiatric drugs have been prescribed, yet that information is seldom released to the public and is only made available to the public from family members or criminal court cases. AbleChild argued that Wyoming is still adhering to outdated World Health Organization (WHO) procedures and policies when it comes to death data collection.

AbleChild suggested that there never will be a full understanding of these seemingly random violent acts until there is full informed consent and mental health data is made part of all investigations, including full toxicology screening for prescription psychiatric drugs, even drug levels that are not at “therapeutic levels.”

Amy Miller Former Co-Director of Reform Pharma, an initiative of Robert F. Kennedy’s Jr. joined AbleChild at the Wyoming Committee hearing and shared her expertise on the go-to antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), testifying about Reform Pharma’s important legislative work in Tennessee where senseless murders garnered headlines.

AbleChild suggested that Wyoming should consider legislation that would address treatment “exit plans” for all clients being treated with prescription psychiatric drugs. In other words, clients should be advised at the first prescription what the adverse events are associated with the drug, how long the client will be on the drug and what is the plan to have them wean off the drug. Too often psychiatric drugs are prescribed cradle to grave.

Finally, AbleChild recommended a more careful review and scrutiny of the psycho/pharmaceutical role in State-funded mental health programs. Too often the psycho/pharmaceutical industry is behind legislation that may not actually benefit the great citizens of Wyoming. A case in point is that of the abuse of Medicaid funds in Minnesota where several million dollars of state Medicaid funds were appropriated to fraudulent mental health services with no oversight.  The FBI now is investigating that fraud and taxpayers may never be made whole.

It is a rare occurrence when AbleChild is met by such warm and welcoming lawmakers. The Wyoming legislators were smart, open-minded and, most importantly, eager to embrace new information that may help them make better laws for their citizens.

AbleChild thanks Committee Chair Rodriguez-Williams and also Speaker Chip Neiman. Their leadership is an example of remarkable lawmaking and should be mirrored throughout the nation.

AbleChild would like to thank all of our supporters for the ability to make this Wyoming trip possible.  AbleChild is not funded by State or Federal government; AbleChild is completely supported by the American people.

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