One in six Americans takes or has taken antidepressants, according to the National Institutes of Health. Recent comments by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about SSRIs—a common class of medications used to treat anxiety and depression—have prompted concern among patients already on these drugs.
Kennedy Jr. has expressed interest in reducing what he views as over-prescribing of SSRIs and promoting alternative mental health approaches. Emily Wouk, a nurse practitioner at Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, Missouri, says she is already fielding patient concerns. “I’m already seeing patients concerned about the news and the social media that’s going on,” she said. “And I’ve already had a lot of questions from my patients regarding their medications. Some of them have wanted to stop them cold turkey. And it’s a very big risk.”
Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of medical supervision when discontinuing SSRIs. Dr. Erica Mahn, a pharmacist with Alps Pharmacy, notes that proper discontinuation takes time. “You really need four to six weeks to work yourself off of the medication so you don’t have abrupt side effects of feeling miserable all of a sudden from not having this medicine that’s been adjusting the chemicals in your brain,” Mahn said.
For many patients, finding the right medication is a gradual process requiring patience and collaboration with doctors. Stacy Fox, who was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder after a severe downturn following graduation, credits medication alongside music therapy and family support with her stabilization. “It took me probably 10 or 11 different medicines,” she said. Mental health professionals stress that stigma around mental health and medication has improved in recent years, and they hope these recent discussions do not discourage people from seeking necessary treatment.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.ky3.com/2026/05/15/local-mental-health-professionals-respond-concerns-about-psychiatric-medications/