Organizations, advocacy groups, and support programs available to you and your family

Support for you

AstraZeneca has long supported the mental health community and initiatives to assist people with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and other conditions in living healthier, more productive lives. AstraZeneca is proud to support programs that can help you and your family in partnership with many leading mental health organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, The Jed Foundation, Mental Health America, Families for Depression Awareness, and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

Organizations: From support groups to advocacy organizations, here are ones you may want to consider as you work toward reaching your goals.

Social Security disability benefits: See if these benefits may be available if a loved one cannot work due to a medical condition.

Mental illness, like physical illness, can be serious and disabling. It is possible for people diagnosed with a mental illness to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, but not everyone will qualify and certain guidelines must be met.

Social Security pays benefits to people who cannot work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least 1 year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not. Certain family members of disabled workers can also receive money from Social Security.

There are multiple ways that a person can learn more about these benefits and apply for them:

  • Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov
  • Call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take the claim over the telephone

Applying for disability benefits does not guarantee that benefits will be granted. Strict requirements must be met in order for benefits to be granted.

Organizations and advocacy groups

If you or a loved one is struggling with chronic mental illness, additional support and resources are available.

AstraZeneca has long supported the mental health community and initiatives to assist people with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and other conditions in living healthier, more productive lives.

AstraZeneca is proud to support programs that can help you and your family in partnership with many leading mental health organizations, including those listed below.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100

Arlington, VA 22203

800-950-NAMI (6264)

www.nami.org

NAMI Connection

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups are for people who are living with mental illness. These groups hold regular meetings and are intended for people with any mental illness who seek to learn from others' experiences, share coping strategies, and offer encouragement, understanding, and support. Groups are available around the country. To find available groups near you, visit www.nami.org/connection

Peer-to-Peer

A nine-week educational program on the topic of mental illness for any person with a psychiatric diagnosis. It provides information on the biological bases of mental illness; emotions, advocacy, and empowerment; and coping and treatment strategies. It is taught by mentors who have personally experienced mental illness. Find a course near you at www.nami.org/P2P

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501

Chicago, IL 60654-7225

800-826-3632

www.DBSAlliance.org

www.FacingUs.org

Educational Materials and Peer Support Groups

www.DBSAlliance.org

DBSAlliance.org connects you with in-depth educational materials regarding depression and bipolar disorder, wellness options, peer support, and advice on how to help others. In addition to printed materials available by mail, DBSA provides downloadable brochures, a host of podcasts, videos, inspirational stories, online support groups, and online courses to help you define, achieve, and maintain wellness. As independent affiliates of DBSA in their local communities, DBSA chapters offer more than 700 free, peer-facilitated support groups where you will find comfort and direction, and where you can make a difference in the lives of others. Learn more at www.DBSAlliance.org/FindSupport

Personal Wellness Tools and Health Tracker

www.FacingUs.org

The Facing Us Clubhouse is home to a wealth of customizable personal wellness tools to help you live a full, healthy, and happy life. Inside, you can chart lifestyle, mood, and treatment with the DBSA Wellness Tracker; get artsy in the Dave’s Spark Creativity Center; keep a personal journal; listen to Facing Us Radio; send e-postcards; create a personal wellness plan; share wellness tips; and browse inspirational stories. DBSA Wellness Tracker is an online tool and app to help you recognize potential health problems and mood triggers in your daily life. Learn more at www.FacingUs.org/Tracker

The Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation

1140 Broadway, Suite 803

New York, NY 10001

212-647-7544

www.jedfoundation.org

The Jed Foundation is a leading nonprofit working to protect the emotional health of teenagers and college students. Our programs are inspiring a new national dialogue on mental health, encouraging millions of young people to speak up and take action, and changing the way academic institutions create healthier campus communities and prevent substance abuse and self-harm. These programs include: JedCampus, a groundbreaking self-assessment and feedback program that helps colleges create more comprehensive solutions to support their students; ULifeline, an online resource that helps students understand and address mental health conditions like depression and anxiety disorders; the Half of Us campaign, with MTV, which uses online and on-air programming to share stories and encourage help-seeking; the Love is Louder movement that helps individuals, communities and schools build resiliency, create connectedness and promote acceptance; Transition Year, an online resource for parents aimed at helping to ensure a smooth, healthy transition into college life; and a portfolio of resources that helps campuses promote emotional health and protect at-risk students. Learn more at www.jedfoundation.org

MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus

US National Library of Medicine

8600 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, MD 20894

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus

MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Preformulated Medline searches are included in MedlinePlus and provide easy access to references to medical journal articles. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs and supplements, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, the latest health news, and surgery videos.

National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH)

National Council for Behavioral Health

1701 K Street NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20006

202-684-7457

www.thenationalcouncil.org

The National Council for Community Behavioral Health serves more than six million adults and children with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The NCCBH is committed to providing comprehensive, quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and inclusion in all aspects of community life. The NCCBH also offers Mental Health First Aid, a certification program similar to CPR that helps health care providers, educators, faith leaders, employers, and others learn to recognize a mental health crisis, and also provides resources and direction for treatment options. The program helps to combat stigma, educate key audiences, and improve access to treatment for individuals with mental illnesses. For more information, visit www.thenationalcouncil.org

Families for Depression Awareness

Families for Depression Awareness

395 Totten Pond Road, Suite 404

Waltham, MA 02451

781-890-0220

www.familyaware.org

The Mental Health Family Tree

The Mental Health Family Tree program raises awareness of the possible family connection of bipolar disorder. Through the use of a simple Web-based tool, individuals can map out their family's history of mental illness and print out their mental health family tree for their next doctor or other health care professional visit. Build your own family tree at www.familyaware.org/web-tools/mental-health-family-tree.html

Mental Health America

Mental Health America

2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor

Alexandria, VA 22311

800-969-6MHA (6642)

www.mentalhealthamerica.org

Mental Health America is the nation's largest and oldest community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans live mentally healthier lives. With more than 300 affiliates across the country, they touch the lives of millions—advocating for changes in policy, educating the public and providing critical information, and delivering urgently needed programs and service.

National Hopeline Network

National Hopeline Network

1250 24th Street, NW

Suite 300

Washington, DC 20037

800-442-HOPE

www.hopeline.com

A national network connecting our country's crisis centers under a single, easy-to-remember toll-free telephone number: 1-800-SUICIDE.

Important Safety Information About SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate)Read More +

  • Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL XR is not approved for treating these patients...
Sign up for updates >
US-25490 Last Updated 12/18

Important Safety Information About SEROQUEL XR® (quetiapine fumarate)


Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL XR is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Patients, families, and caregivers should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. These symptoms should be reported immediately to the doctor. SEROQUEL XR is not approved for children under the age of 10 years.

    Do not take SEROQUEL XR if you are allergic to quetiapine fumarate or any of the ingredients in SEROQUEL XR.

    Stroke that can lead to death can happen in elderly people with dementia who take medicines like SEROQUEL XR.

    Stop SEROQUEL XR and call your doctor right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms: high fever; excessive sweating; stiff muscles; confusion; changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. These may be symptoms of a rare, but very serious and potentially fatal, side effect called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

    High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, your doctor should check your blood sugar before you start taking SEROQUEL XR and also during therapy. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening.

    Increases in triglycerides and in LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with SEROQUEL XR. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels before you start SEROQUEL XR and during therapy.

    Weight gain has been reported with SEROQUEL XR. Your doctor should check your weight regularly.

    Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD may not go away, even if you stop taking SEROQUEL XR. TD may also start after you stop taking SEROQUEL XR.

    Other risks include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, falls (which may cause serious injuries), trouble swallowing, or decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal). Fever, flu-like symptoms, or any other infection could be a result of a very low white blood cell count. Tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience any of these.

    Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have or have had low white blood cell count, seizures, abnormal thyroid tests, high prolactin levels, heart or liver problems, trouble emptying your bladder, enlarged prostate, constipation, increased pressure inside your eyes, or cataracts. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter.

    Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL XR, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL XR. Do not drink alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR.

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Avoid breast-feeding while taking SEROQUEL XR.

    The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, difficulty moving, disturbance in speech or language, and stuffy nose.

    Do not stop taking SEROQUEL XR without talking to your doctor. Stopping SEROQUEL XR suddenly may cause side effects.

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

Approved Uses

SEROQUEL XR is a once-daily tablet approved in adults for (1) add-on treatment to antidepressants for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not have an adequate response to antidepressant therapy; (2) acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; (3) acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex; (4) long-term treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium or divalproex; and (5) schizophrenia.

Please read the Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products by clicking here.

This site is intended for US customers only.

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about SEROQUEL XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if SEROQUEL XR is right for you.