HHS Secretary Kennedy Launches Initiative to Curb Psychiatric Medication Overuse

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new initiative Monday aimed at addressing what he described as the “overuse” of psychiatric medications in the United States, particularly among children. The announcement came during a Make America Healthy Again Institute summit, where Kennedy outlined a comprehensive approach to reforming mental health care in America.

“Today, we take clear and decisive action to confront our nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications — especially among children,” Kennedy said in a statement. “We will support patient autonomy, require informed consent and shared decision-making, and shift the standard of care toward prevention, transparency, and a more holistic approach to mental health.”

The initiative comes amid growing concern about America’s reliance on psychiatric drugs. According to a 2025 survey of more than 30,000 adults, 16.6% of Americans are using antidepressants, making them among the most commonly prescribed medications in the country.

Kennedy emphasized that the program is not intended to force patients off their medications. “Let me be clear: If you are taking psychiatric medication, we are not telling you to stop,” he clarified. “We are making sure you — and your clinician — have the information and support to make the right decision for you.”

The reform package includes several key components designed to reshape mental health treatment approaches across the healthcare system. In a letter released Monday, HHS urged medical providers to prioritize informed consent, shared decision-making, and regular reassessment of the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications with their patients.

The department is also promoting alternative treatment options where appropriate, including therapy, improved family support systems, enhanced nutrition, and regular exercise as complementary or alternative approaches to medication.

In a significant policy shift, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced new guidance allowing physicians to be reimbursed for helping patients safely taper off psychiatric medications and monitor withdrawal symptoms. This change addresses a long-standing financial disincentive that has made it difficult for doctors to support patients who wish to reduce or discontinue their psychiatric medications.

The HHS plan further includes a new comprehensive report on prescribing trends, expanded training programs for doctors, and the formation of an expert panel to guide future decisions regarding medication use and alternatives.

An HHS spokesperson highlighted concerning trends driving the initiative, pointing specifically to rising prescription rates among children, including increases in ADHD diagnoses and antidepressant use. According to the department, these trends reflect an “overmedicalization” of mental health issues and underscore the need to expand non-drug, evidence-based treatment options.

“HHS is committed to elevating the role of nonmedication treatments and scalable, evidence-based solutions to improve mental health and prevent the unnecessary initiation of psychiatric medications,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

This initiative represents one of Kennedy’s most significant policy moves since taking office as HHS Secretary. It aligns with his long-expressed concerns about pharmaceutical influence in healthcare and his advocacy for more holistic approaches to treating chronic conditions.

Mental health advocates have expressed mixed reactions to the announcement, with some praising the emphasis on patient choice and alternative treatments, while others caution that any policy changes must ensure patients maintain access to medications that may be essential for their well-being.

The initiative comes amid broader efforts by the administration to reform healthcare delivery, including recently announced changes to youth fitness benchmarks in schools and a $100 million effort to address addiction, homelessness and mental illness announced earlier this year.