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

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is intensifying its push to reduce the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common class of antidepressants, by collaborating with mental health professionals to create better guidelines for safely discontinuing these medications. This move comes amid growing concerns over the long-term effects and over-prescription of SSRIs. The meeting underscores a significant shift in how mental health treatment is being approached, aiming to provide clearer, evidence-based recommendations to clinicians and patients alike, ultimately shaping future healthcare policies.