SSRIs in Teens: A Growing Mental Health Dilemma

Teen mental health is in crisis. Although depression and anxiety have long impacted America’s youth, these mental disorders are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Nearly one in seven 10 to 19-year-olds experience a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders as the leading cause [1]. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis. Between 2017 and 2021, diagnosed cases of depression among American youth rose by 60%, while anxiety disorders increased by 31% [2]. 

Yet, as the demand for mental healthcare continues to grow, access to affordable treatment remains limited. In response, more teens than ever are being prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - but is this a necessary solution or an ethical concern?

In mid-February, the White House released a statement regarding the establishment of President Trump’s Make America Health Again Commission [3]. The administration points to the fact that, despite the increased prescription of medication (specifically for ADD and ADHD), health burdens for both adolescents and adults remain persistent. The mission of this new Commission is to study childhood chronic disease and assess the threat of identified-risk factors including “potential over-utilization of medication” [3]. This medication includes SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight loss drugs [3]. 

SSRI use among minors has increased significantly in recent years. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of people ages 12 to 17 with an antidepressant prescription rose 43% [4]. This rise is partially attributed to growing rates of depression and anxiety following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed concern over the overmedication of children and the risks of antidepressants. 

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed class of medications for treating depression. They work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing serotonin activity [5]. Variants of these medications have clinically proven to be safe, efficient, and well-tolerated in both adult and pediatric patients. For many children and adults in the U.S. with severe health health disorders, SSRIs can play a critical role in their treatment. Major depressive disorder in adolescents can cause serious morbidities, including difficulties in maintaining social relationships, poor academic performance, risky sexual behavior, and increased risk of physical illness and substance abuse [6]. It is also strongly associated with the rising rate of adolescent suicides, which is now the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24. For young adults, SSRIs may then be a life-saving intervention. 

Given their importance, why are SSRIs now under political scrutiny? Much of the concern arises from beliefs that these medications are addictive. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary Kennedy even claimed to know family members who had a harder time going off SSRIs than heroin [4]. However, medical research has shown that SSRIs are not addictive. The most extreme side effects identified among SSRI users is a minor increase (2%) in suicidal ideation in children and teens. Physicians worry that unsupported statements like Kennedy’s could deter patients from accessing antidepressants they need. Therefore, the decision to prescribe these medications should be between a physician in their patient, rather than being in the hands of politicians. 

Despite misconceptions, SSRIs remain a safe and effective treatment for both adolescents and adults. That said, the criticism surrounding these medications does draw attention to another important issue: the need for more accessible and affordable mental healthcare. While therapy is often the preferred first-line treatment, a nationwide shortage of therapists has led many individuals with mild to moderate symptoms to rely on medication instead [4]. If the U.S. ever considers restricting access to SSRIs, it must first ensure that alternative forms of treatment are both available and affordable for those struggling with mental health conditions.

Designed By:

Edited By: Aditi Avinash

References:

[1] World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, October 10). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

[2] Xiang, A. H., Martinez, M. P., Chow, T., Carter, S. A., Negriff, S., Velasquez, B., Spitzer, J., Zuberbuhler, J. C., Zucker, A., & Kumar, S. (2024). Depression and anxiety among US children and young adults. JAMA Network Open, 7(10), e2436906. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.36906

[3] The White House. (2025, February 13). Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/establishing-the-presidents-make-america-healthy-again-commission/

[4] RFK Jr. thrusts antidepressants into the spotlight — unnecessarily, advocates say. (2025, February 21). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rfk-jr-ssri-antidepressants-children-doctors-risks-studies-rcna192722

[5]  Chu, A., & Wadhwa, R. (2023, May 1). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/

[6] Dwyer, J. B., & Bloch, M. H. (2019, September 1). Antidepressants for pediatric patients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6738970/

[7] Friedman, R. A. (2014). Antidepressants’ Black-Box warning — 10 years later. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(18), 1666–1668. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmp1408480