On Monday, May 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced efforts to curb what it identifies as psychiatric overprescribing during a MAHA Institute summit on mental health and overmedicalization.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., outlined a new action plan to “promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing and to drive deprescribing when clinically indicated.”

In a Dear Colleague Letter, HHS encourages providers to prioritize informed consent and shared decision-making, and to regularly review the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications with patients. The letter highlights non-medication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition, and physical activity, when clinically appropriate.

“Individuals should receive clear, understandable information regarding the potential benefits and risks of psychiatric medications at initiation, during ongoing treatment, and when discontinuation is being considered,” the letter stated. “That discussion should include the purpose of the medication, expected benefits, possible adverse effects, monitoring needs, potential discontinuation symptoms, the risks of abrupt cessation when relevant, the possibility of relapse or recurrence, and the availability of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions.”

The letter was signed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).