RFK Jr announces MAHA 'action plan' to reduce Americans' dependence on SSRIs

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr on Monday announced a new "action plan" aimed at decreasing the prescription and overall usage of antidepressants among the American populace. The introduction of the new initiatives were delivered at the MAHA Institute's Mental Health and Overmedicalization Summit. 

Kennedy spoke toward the end of the two-hour event, which was meant to draw a consortium of experts and advocates to explore the contributing factors fueling mental health problems in the United States, and try to identify reasonable goals for addressing the problems. A major theme of the day was the use and overuse of antidepressants.

"The United States does not just face a mental health crisis. We face a dependency crisis driven by overmedicalization," Kennedy said before rattling off a list of sobering stats about Americans' dependence on antidepressants, also known as SSRIs. Brand names include commonly-prescribed drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Celexa, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

"One in six American adults takes an antidepressant. One in 10 children are on prescription medication for their mental health. 30% of college students report using psychiatric medications in the past year. And in nursing homes, more than half of the residents are on prescribed antidepressants," Kennedy continued, underscoring how widespread the problem is throughout American society. "That's not a marginal issue. This is a system level pattern.We are going to fix it."

Kennedy has long had the pharmaceutical companies in his crosshairs for a variety of reasons, including with their approaches to and tactics around the COVID vaccines, their influence on the mainstream media and the pressure they put on doctors to prescribe their products.

One of the key initiatives in the action plan is to encourage medical providers "to prioritize informed consent and shared decision-making, and to regularly review the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications with patients." The plan also calls on psychiatrists to give greater consideration to "non-medication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition, and physical activity when clinically appropriate."

“Too many patients begin treatment without a clear understanding of the risks," Kennedy said. "Or how to come off of them.” Below, watch a clip of Kennedy's remarks on Monday, and click here to watch the full event.