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New Florida Rules Advise Against Drugs for Depression, Anxiety for Kids
State guidance says psychotropic drugs should not be the first treatment for most children 5 to 17 with anxiety, depression or ADHD.
- On Friday, July 24, 2026, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued guidance recommending against psychotropic drugs for children ages 5 to 17, suggesting psychotherapy, physical activity, and dietary changes as alternatives.
- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has campaigned to curb psychiatric overprescribing, launching a 'Make America Healthy Again' action plan in May that influenced Florida's new state guidelines.
- Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris stated that psychotropic medications "should never be used as a substitute for individual therapy and other psychosocial care options" when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Lawrence Bergman of Bergman Pediatrics warned that discouraging these prescriptions "would be setting pediatric mental health back years," noting moderate to severe cases warrant medication.
- The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry argues the guidance "broadly and imprecisely challenges established psychiatric diagnoses and evidence-based treatments," creating risks for children and families.
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Florida now warns against depression and anxiety meds for children, teens
Florida’s newest guidelines warn against prescribing psychotropic medications for children, echoing the Make America Healthy Again movement’s push to impose changes on childhood health care. On Friday the Florida Department of Health issued guidance for psychotropic pharmacotherapy in children 5 to 17, recommending against the use of drugs to treat mental health conditions like depression, […] The post Florida now warns against depression and an…
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Orlando Sentinel
Orlando SentinelNew Florida rules advise against drugs for depression, anxiety for children
Florida’s newest guidelines warn against prescribing psychotropic medications for children, echoing the Make America Healthy Again movement’s push to impose changes on childhood healthcare.
·Deerfield Beach, United States
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
L 31%
C 54%
15%
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