I am writing to urge the National Institute of Mental Health, and other supporters of mental health research to join the global efforts to eradicate the senseless and cruel forced-swim test in which terrified rats and mice are placed into inescapable tanks of water while researchers observe which animals struggle longest to stay afloat. The test, widely regarded as inaccurate and inhumane by top clinicians, should be ended and replaced by relevant and superior human studies of depression.
