Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is taking a bold stand against the overprescription of antidepressants, particularly in children. Speaking to his staff, Kennedy vowed to investigate the widespread use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants including Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft. His initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, which Kennedy now leads. The commission seeks to reduce chronic disease, address mental health concerns, and explore whether SSRIs are being pushed too aggressively onto children.
Kennedy has long voiced concerns over the risks of these medications, arguing that their side effects are downplayed while safer, non-pharmaceutical interventions are often ignored. He has called for greater scrutiny on Big Pharma and its influence on mental health treatment, stating that families deserve transparency and safer options. Critics, particularly from the pharmaceutical and psychiatric industries, argue that antidepressants are vital for those suffering from severe depression. However, Kennedy and other MAHA supporters emphasize lifestyle interventions, improved nutrition, therapy access, and addressing root causes of mental health issues instead of turning to drugs as a first solution.
With SSRI prescriptions for teens rising 43% in recent years, Kennedy’s push for reform is resonating with parents concerned about long-term dependence and potential health risks. His leadership could reshape how mental health is treated in America—focusing on healing, not just medicating.
