HHS Initiative Encourages Deprescribing & Non-Pharmaceutical Mental Health Treatment

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a coordinated initiative aimed at reducing overreliance on psychiatric medications and expanding the use of non-pharmaceutical behavioral health treatments, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.

The initiative, led jointly by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), and Administration for Children & Families (ACF), emphasizes regular reassessment of psychiatric medications, shared decision-making, informed consent, and deprescribing when clinically appropriate.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the initiative on May 4, 2026 . . .