HHS Campaign To Curb Overuse Of Psychiatric Medications Urges Deprescribing & Non-Pharmaceutical Treatments

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched an initiative to address overuse of psychiatric medications, especially among children. The initiative will promote appropriate psychiatric prescribing, use of non-pharmaceutical treatments, and urge deprescribing when clinically indicated. The broad goal is to shift the system toward comprehensive, person-centered behavioral health care.

To support the initiative, SAMHSA plans to release a report on psychotropic prescribing trends by the end of May 2026. In June and July, SAMHSA has scheduled educational webinars about side effects of psychiatric medications, and . . .