In recent weeks, healthcare professionals in Washington state have expressed growing concerns over a new initiative launched by the Trump administration that could significantly impact children’s access to vital psychiatric medications. On Thursday, an executive order established the “Make America Healthy Again Commission,” which is set to scrutinize prescribing practices for psychiatric drugs, particularly for children. The commission, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to focus on the health of American children, with an emphasis on reducing chronic diseases, including mental health disorders.
While the commission’s overall goal of improving children’s health sounds good in theory, the order’s potential consequences for children struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions have raised alarm. Many medical professionals argue that while the order brings attention to valid concerns about overprescribing, its broad implications could inadvertently undermine the trust between healthcare providers and families, potentially jeopardizing the well-being of vulnerable children.
The commission is tasked with investigating the prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, stimulants, and mood stabilizers, which are commonly prescribed to treat a variety of mental health conditions. These medications are effective for many adults and children. The administration seems to think the idea of potential side effects due to taking SSRIs is novel, as if every drug in the history of the world does not include some kind of side effects.
The commission’s work will begin with an assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric medication use in children and the potential risks associated with their prescription. The first report is due within 100 days, followed by a strategy and recommendations for federal action within 180 days. If these recommendations lead to new regulations or restrictions, they could have far-reaching consequences for children currently depending on these medications. Could this mark the beginning of a plan to get rid of SSRIs altogether, affecting not just children this administration is so worried about “protecting,” but the millions of adults that rely on this medication as well?
Medical professionals are particularly concerned about the implications of the executive order for children already struggling with mental health conditions. Summer Starr, interim director of the Washington chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), highlighted the risk that such policies could exacerbate the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. “You’d never deny someone cancer treatment. There isn’t the same level of stigma for that,” she said. "We’re trying to destigmatize mental health, and this just adds another layer of that."
Delays in providing children with access to the medications they need could have long-term consequences for their recovery. Early intervention is key for mental health treatment, and not having access to necessary medications can make recovery more difficult as children grow older. The country’s youth mental health crisis, already exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to increased rates of severe conditions, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Many healthcare professionals agree that concerns about overprescribing medications are valid, but they warn that any changes to prescribing practices should be carefully considered. Dr. Lelach Rave, interim executive director of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized that untreated mental health conditions pose their own risks. “There is real risk with disease,” she noted, stressing that parents often feel caught between the potential harms of medication and the dangers of leaving a child’s mental health untreated.
Currently, prescribing practices for psychiatric medications in children are regulated by several entities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, and commercial insurance companies.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance on psychiatric medications has raised concerns among mental health advocates. During his presidential campaign, Kennedy made inflammatory statements about antidepressants and ADHD medications, calling those who take them “addicts” and suggesting that they should undergo treatment at rural “wellness farms.” What he thinks depressed, attention deficit-ridden people would get done on a farm is another question. His comments, which also blamed the use of antidepressants to a rise in school shootings—a claim debunked by research—have further fueled anxieties about the administration’s approach to mental health care.
While Kennedy’s exact role and authority over medication access remain unclear, his comments and proposals have sparked widespread debate about the future of mental health treatment in the U.S. His position could have significant implications for the federal government’s regulation of psychiatric medications for children, potentially restricting access to essential treatments.
As the debate over psychiatric medications for children continues to unfold, medical professionals are calling for careful oversight and continued vigilance in ensuring that children receive the care they need. The need for mental health treatment among children has never been greater, and any changes to federal policies regarding psychiatric medications must take into account the potential harm that could arise from delaying or denying treatment. Advocates, including those from NAMI and other mental health organizations, are preparing to advocate for state-level protections to ensure that children can continue to access the medications and support they need to thrive.
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