Leading Psychiatric Organizations React to HHS Deprescribing Action Plan

Many major psychiatric organizations have been sharing their thoughts this week in the wake of the announcement of an action plan from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to curb “psychiatric overprescribing.”¹

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. shared details of this new action plan: The HHS will promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing and encourage deprescribing when clinically indicated. Kennedy wishes to “confront [the] nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications—especially among children.”¹

Here are some of the selected thoughts from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD), American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and more.

APA

“Deprescribing alone is not a sufficient response to this crisis. In psychiatry, as in all areas of medicine, prescribing and deprescribing occur every day as part of individualized, evidence-based treatment planning between physicians and patients. The solution is not to stigmatize psychiatric medication or impose broad assumptions on clinical care, but to ensure that patients have access to the full range of evidence-based treatments and that decisions are guided by the best available science and each patient’s needs.

The APA continues to:

• Be firmly committed to ensuring that patients have access to the full range of evidence-based treatments, including medication when clinically appropriate.
• Strongly support shared decision making between physicians and their patients to make individualized treatment decisions guided by the best available science.
• Support consistent standards for informed consent across all areas of medicine. Imposing a higher bar for informed consent for mental health treatment is stigmatizing and harms patients.
• Support an evidence-based approach to prescribing and deprescribing and better support for patients who are starting, continuing, changing, or stopping psychiatric medications.”²

AFSP

The chief medical officer of the AFSP, Christine Yu Moutier, MD, shared these comments as part of a larger statement³:

“Depression is one of the most prevalent risk factors for suicide, yet millions of people in the United States go undiagnosed and untreated each year and half of those with a mental health condition are not receiving any treatment. Evidence-based treatment of depression and other mental health conditions—whether through psychotherapy, psychotropic medications or a combination—remains one of the most actionable ways to reduce suicide risk. Optimizing evidence-based care, with the goal of symptom remission and prevention of recurrence, saves lives. On the other hand, misinformation and fear of these treatments have led to decreased identification and treatment of depression, with serious public health consequences.

A robust body of scientific evidence demonstrates that antidepressants are effective in treating acute depressive episodes, preventing future episodes, and reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. While all medications carry potential risks, decades of research—spanning clinical trials, population-level studies, and health system data—show that the judicious use of antidepressants reduces suicide risk overall. Research also consistently demonstrates that for people with moderate to severe Major Depressive Disorder, the most effective treatment is often psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, in combination with an antidepressant.

Appropriate discontinuing of medications can play a role in high-quality care when guided by careful, individualized clinical assessment—such as when medications are ineffective, cause concerning side effects, or involve unnecessary use of multiple medications. However, abrupt discontinuation or inappropriate "deprescribing," particularly outside a collaborative patient-provider process, can increase risk, including the potential for symptom relapse and elevated suicide risk for some individuals. Individualized and customized clinical assessment, patient-centered communication, and follow-up are essential to avoid unintended harm.”

Stay tuned for a follow-up interview with Moutier, coming soon.

APSARD

APSARD shared this comment with Psychiatric Times:

"APSARD welcomes the focus on thoughtful, patient-centered prescribing and the emphasis on informed consent, shared decision-making, and expanded access to nonpharmacologic care reflected in this announcement. We will be eager to learn more about how these initiatives are implemented, as the methods used to achieve these goals are critical to ensuring equitable, science-based mental health care. While there are many positive elements highlighted at a high level, continued engagement with clinical experts will be essential to ensure that policy aligns with the evidence base and supports optimal outcomes for individuals with ADHD and related conditions."

AACAP

The president of AACAP, John Walkup, MD, shared the following comments⁴:

“Untreated mental illness puts children at risk of a variety of negative outcomes including worsening symptoms, excessive suffering, academic failure, social isolation, impaired functioning, and premature death by suicide and other causes. As child and adolescent psychiatrists, we are uniquely trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders in youth. We provide individualized, evidence-based care that prioritizes science driven treatment, shared-decision making, routine monitoring, and recovery as the primary outcome.

Psychiatric medications, including SSRIs, are sometimes part of a broader holistic treatment plan that may include talk therapy, lifestyle and school changes, and family support. When clinically appropriate and properly monitored, these medications are safe, effective, and, for many, lifesaving. Decisions about initiating, adjusting, tapering, or discontinuing medication should remain grounded in medical evidence, sound clinical judgment, and patient-family choice.

At a time when youth mental health needs remain high, AACAP urges policymakers to ensure that decisions affecting access to psychiatric medications and mental health services are grounded in evidence and informed by child and adolescent psychiatrists and other qualified clinicians. AACAP will continue to advocate for high-quality, evidence-based support for children, adolescents, and families.”

Mindful Choices

“Mindful Choices for ADHD—the leading national advocacy organization for the ADHD community—agrees with Secretary Kennedy and the leadership of HHS that the nation faces a serious mental health crisis which impacts patients and families across the age continuum. An emphasis on providing new resources to clinicians for diagnosing and treating mental health conditions like ADHD is a vital step toward ensuring that the right patients receive the right diagnosis and interventions, both medical and non-medical. Our leaders, including some of the nation’s most prestigious clinicians, along with patients and families with lived experience, stand ready to work with the Administration to inform the work that CMS, HRSA, and SAMHSA have committed to do to support deprescribing of inappropriate medications, to increase access to objective diagnostic resources to improve accuracy, and to bolster clinician awareness of medical and nonmedical tools available to optimize care for people with ADHD.”⁵

Concluding Thoughts

The top psychiatric organizations seem aligned: The field of psychiatry remains posed to address the mental health crisis of the nation. Doubt of the field now can only hinder any potential progress.

References

1. HHS launches MAHA action plan to curb psychiatric overprescribing. HHS. News release. May 4, 2026. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-launches-maha-action-plan-curb-psychiatric-overprescribing.html

2. APA welcomes national focus on mental health, urges evidence-based approach and continued focus on access to care. APA. News release. May 4, 2026. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/05/3287293/0/en/apa-welcomes-national-focus-on-mental-health-urges-evidence-based-approach-and-continued-focus-on-access-to-care.html

3. AFSP statement on the importance of antidepressants and evidence-based treatment for suicide prevention. AFSP. News release. May 5, 2026. Accessed May 5, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/afsp-statement-on-the-importance-of-antidepressants-and-evidence-based-treatment-for-suicide-prevention-302762738.html

4. Presidential statement on recent MAHA actions related to psychiatric medications. AACAP. News release. May 7, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/zLatest_News/Pres_Statement_MAHA_Psych_Meds.aspx

5. RFK Jr. says Trump Administration will promote “deprescribing” of psychiatric medications, while encouraging more clinician training and transparency between patients and prescribers. Mindful Choices. News release. May 6, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://choicesforadhd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mindful-Choices-Press-Release-5.6.2026.pdf