STAT+: HHS presses ahead with effort to curb antidepressant use

STAT PlusExclusive HHS presses ahead with effort to curb antidepressant use HHS officials, mental health professionals met to work on guidance for stopping SSRIs Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Chelsea Cirruzzo and Lizzy LawrenceJuly 13, 2026 Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42.Lizzy Lawrence[email protected]Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. WASHINGTON — Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pressing forward with his effort to help Americans stop taking psychiatric drugs, a medical practice known as deprescribing. Earlier this month, dozens of mental health professionals met with federal health officials to map out forthcoming clinical guidance they hope will help providers instruct patients on how to come off of antidepressant medications. While the Department of Health and Human Services has discussed plans to hold such a meeting, the outlines of the discussion haven’t been reported.Advertisement During those talks, they reviewed guidance from European nations and worked on recommendations for nonmedication-based options for patients to address their mental health, such as therapy. A senior HHS official said they discussed gaps in the research around deprescribing SSRIs, including the side effects a person may experience, which vary depending on the drug and how long the person was on it, and how to recognize the difference between those side effects and a return of a patient’s depressive symptoms. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In HHS, Mental Health, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, RFK Jr., STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Lizzy Lawrence FDA Reporter Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Exclusive July 10, 2026 Nominee for key federal health role has a history of questioning vaccines Exclusive July 8, 2026 STAT Plus: In private meeting, Trump officials push to onshore generic drugmaking Advertisement Exclusive June 29, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA’s top gene therapy regulator is leaving his role A STAT Investigation June 29, 2026 5 takeaways from STAT’s investigation into microhospital operator Nutex Health A STAT Investigation June 29, 2026 STAT Plus: The ERs that can turn patients away — and are reaping millions Subscriber Picks