August 6, 2026

Doctors for America Call for Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment For All Youth

On July 24, 2026 the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued new guidance for healthcare providers recommending against the use of psychotropic medications to treat youth ages 5-17 with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or attention-deficit related disorders. Doctors for America is deeply concerned about the repercussions of this blanket recommendation and its potential to cause further harm to the most vulnerable children.

As physicians, we use evidence-based guidelines to treat our patients, weighing the risks and benefits of all treatment options. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) issues guidelines on the treatment of pediatric depressive disorders, including the use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or both in combination for the treatment of depressive disorders. SSRIs and other antidepressants have been studied extensively in children and adolescents and positive treatment findings (decreased depressive symptoms and improved functional status) support the use of these medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The guidelines do not suggest that medications are superior to CBT and other nonpharmacologic therapy, but rather an option for treatment of moderate-severe depressive disorders, especially if nonpharmacologic therapy is not effective.

For mild cases, the FDOH responsibly recommends comprehensive evaluations before initiating pharmacotherapy treatment, including thorough health histories, psychosocial assessments, physical examinations, behavioral interventions, and therapy. However, it propagates harmful messaging in its blanket advisory against psychotropic medications, which is not supported by the evidence cited in the FDOH document, nor by extensive medical reports and medical society guidelines cited herein. 

Withholding psychotropic medications from youth and adolescents has been shown to cause actual harm. After 2003, the FDA issued three black box warnings concerning increased suicidality among children and adolescents in association with the initiation of treatment with antidepressants, especially SSRIs. While these warnings were intended to increase attention to suicidality at the beginning of treatment and to promote close monitoring in this population, they were not meant to deter physicians from prescribing antidepressants to youth and adolescents. Since the warnings were issued, the rate of children and adolescents receiving mental health care from physicians decreased. Subsequently, several studies noticed an increase in psychotropic drug overdoses (a proxy for attempted suicide) and suicides in adolescents and young adults. Sadly, these warnings increased the risk of the very outcome it aimed to prevent. 

It is the physician’s duty to routinely employ a comprehensive approach to mental health when treating our patients. This includes providing referrals to therapy colleagues, support groups, and other resources. However, it must include offering evidence-based medications, when indicated. Deprescribing, which is highlighted in the FDOH’s statement as a hallmark of patient-centered treatment, may be an option for some patients after their treatment course is complete and symptoms go into remission, but this should be determined on an individual basis and should not be delineated as the standard of care for all. Treatment decisions should be made between the patient, parents and clinician. Public health guidance should be based on facts, not influenced by misinformation, ideological conviction, or personal beliefs. Patients depend on a trusted physician relationship and patient-centered care depends on access to all evidence-based treatment options. 

Doctors For America condemns the FDOH, which has used its authority to give clinical guidance contrary to medical evidence. The FDOH has an ethical responsibility to rescind their guidance on the avoidance and deprescribing of psychotropic medications to children & adolescents. We call on the FDOH to review the well-documented evidence for psychotropic medications in the treatment of mental health conditions in youth.    

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About Doctors for America:

Doctors for America (DFA) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes over 40,000 physicians and medical trainees to advocate for policies that improve the health of patients and communities. Through advocacy training and action at the state and federal levels, DFA works to expand access to affordable care, strengthen community health and prevention, and advance health justice and equity. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical, insurance, or for-profit health care entities, ensuring our work remains fiercely independent and patient-centered. DFA puts patients over politics–and over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X @drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.

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