Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a federal initiative that he says is intended to curb what the department describes as inappropriate prescribing of psychiatric medications — including widely used antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft — while expanding access to nonmedication treatments like psychotherapy and family support services. Mental health groups and psychiatrists said some elements, including better training and safer tapering support, could be helpful, but criticized Kennedy’s framing as too simplistic.
Kennedy announced the initiative on Monday, May 4, at a daylong mental health summit hosted by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Institute, according to NPR and an HHS press release.
HHS described the effort as a “MAHA Action Plan” that will pair education and outreach with program and policy changes aimed at preventing unnecessary starts of psychiatric medications and supporting tapering and discontinuation when clinically appropriate.
As part of the rollout, HHS said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that emphasizes informed consent and shared decision-making and highlights nonmedication approaches including family support, psychotherapy, nutrition and physical activity when clinically appropriate. HHS also said SAMHSA will publish a report on prescribing trends later in May, along with a fact sheet for prescribers and patients.
The department said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance clarifying how clinicians can be paid under Medicare for deprescribing-related care and directing providers to established resources for tapering, including professional guidelines, published protocols and FDA taper instructions.
In its forward-looking plans, HHS said CMS will work to expand access to evidence-based nonmedication care and simplify coverage to improve timely access to psychotherapy and family support services for children and adolescents.
Some psychiatric leaders and advocacy groups urged caution about portraying the nation’s mental health challenges primarily as a consequence of overprescribing. Theresa Miskimen Rivera, president of the American Psychiatric Association, told NPR that Kennedy’s framing is an “oversimplification,” while also saying the organization supports steps to improve training for safe prescribing and safer discontinuation practices. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also stressed in a statement cited by NPR that antidepressants have a strong evidence base for treating depression and reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors when used appropriately.
