On Monday (May 4, 2026), the Federal Health and Human Services administration (HHS) announced a new initiative to address “psychiatric overprescribing.” The initiative aims to reduce the use of widely-prescribed antidepressants known as SSRIs, which also addresses supporting patients who want to stop taking them. 

Several federal agencies (ACF, SAMHSA, HRSA, FDA, NIH, OASH, and CMS) have convened a working group to evaluate mental health diagnosis and prescribing patterns. The goal is to develop reports, clinical guidance, training, reimbursement as well as highlighting non-drug treatments.  This includes: 

  • Emphasis on informed consent and shared decision-making between providers and patients when prescribing psychiatric medications.
  • Encouragement of holistic treatment approaches, including family support, diet, and exercise, alongside clinical care.
  • Recognition of heightened risks for certain populations, including children and adolescents, older adults, pregnant/postpartum individuals, and those with complex or chronic conditions.
  • Support for clinically appropriate deprescribing, when agreed upon by providers and patients, with a focus on careful tapering and monitoring.
  • Ongoing federal coordination to ensure access to appropriate mental health care and to promote safe, evidence-based prescribing practices.

While HHS Secretary Kennedy argues the changes will reduce overreliance on medication and improve patient outcomes, some medical groups caution that concerns about overprescribing may be overstated and stress the need for individualized care. 

Our Response

The Policy Center has long recommended a menu of MMH treatment options given the range of evidence-based treatments, not to mention the preference of many women to avoid drug treatments while pregnant or lactating. Further, we have heard from patients who have wanted to titrate antidepressants (with provider support) and who have had significant withdrawal symptoms. 

Additionally, we have flagged the need for prescribers to take the black box warning for young adults seriously, as to do no harm in increasing suicide risk. 

We also caution HHS in suggesting that those who are thriving on antidepressants should discontinue use.