Is America Overprescribing Psychiatric Meds? JAMA Weighs in on RFK Jr’s MAHA Plan

In this Dallas Express article, Tiffany Chartier reports that JAMA has weighed in on HHS Secretary RFK Jr.’s MAHA plan to curb psychiatric overprescribing, highlighting the national debate over America’s reliance on mental health medications especially among children.

• A JAMA commentary by Rita Rubin examines HHS claims of overprescription of antidepressants and antipsychotics, questioning whether current rates truly exceed clinical needs amid rising mental health concerns.
• The MAHA Action Plan, launched in May 2026, promotes prevention, informed consent, shared decision-making, deprescribing, and non-drug alternatives like psychotherapy, nutrition, and exercise.
• HHS under RFK Jr. emphasizes evaluating prescription patterns, potential harms, and shifting care toward holistic approaches while addressing a mental health crisis driven by overreliance on pills.
• Prescription rates have surged in recent years, raising alarms about long-term side effects, limited safety data in youth, and cases where therapy or lifestyle changes could suffice.
• Experts note both overprescribing risks and dangers of underprescribing, as depression ranks among leading causes of disability with uneven access to alternatives.
• The plan includes CMS guidance for reimbursing deprescribing services, SAMHSA reports, educational efforts, and further NIH/FDA research into innovative treatments.
• This initiative represents a bold challenge to Big Pharma-driven models, prioritizing patient autonomy and root-cause solutions over perpetual medication dependence.

Read the full story:
https://dallasexpress.com/health/is-america-overprescribing-psychiatric-meds-jama-weighs-in-on-rfk-jrs-maha-plan/