RFK Jr.’s SSRI antidepressant investigation sparks liberal meltdown, exposes Big Pharma’s dangerous game
By isabelle // 2025-02-24
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  • Newly appointed HHS Secretary RFK Jr. vows to investigate the safety of SSRIs, sparking controversy.
  • SSRIs are linked to increased suicide risk, especially in young people, but continue to be prescribed despite FDA black box warnings.
  • Evidence suggests alternative treatments like psychotherapy may be safer and more effective than SSRIs.
  • Big Pharma's profit motives are criticized as they downplay SSRI risks, suppressing clinical trial data.
  • Media backlash against Kennedy’s plan reflects prioritizing pharmaceutical industry narratives over patient safety concerns.
In a move that has triggered a meltdown among liberals, newly confirmed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to investigate the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the widely prescribed antidepressants linked to alarming risks, including suicide. The announcement, made during Kennedy’s first month in office, has reignited a long-simmering debate over the dangers of these drugs and the profit-driven motives behind their overprescription. Kennedy’s directive calls for a comprehensive review of SSRIs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, citing concerns about their role in a “growing health crisis” of chronic diseases. But it’s his focus on SSRIs—drugs like Prozac and Zoloft—that has drawn the ire of liberals and Big Pharma alike. Critics, many of whom rely on pharmaceutical advertising dollars, have dismissed Kennedy’s concerns as “anti-science,” despite mounting evidence that SSRIs pose significant risks, particularly to young people.

The suicide risk

At the heart of Kennedy’s investigation is the undeniable link between SSRIs and suicidal behavior. Since 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a “black box warning”—the agency’s most stringent safety alert—on SSRIs, highlighting the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children, adolescents, and young adults. Yet, this warning has done little to curb the rampant overprescription of these drugs. Studies have consistently shown that SSRIs can double the risk of suicide in young patients. A 2021 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that antidepressant exposure significantly increased the risk of suicide and suicide attempts among children and adolescents. Another landmark study in Molecular Psychiatry debunked the long-held myth that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” of serotonin, undermining the very foundation of SSRI use.

Big Pharma’s profit motive vs. patient safety

The backlash against Kennedy’s investigation reveals a troubling truth: Big Pharma and its allies are more concerned with protecting profits than patient safety. SSRIs generate billions in annual revenue, and pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in downplaying their risks. For decades, drugmakers have suppressed clinical trial data showing the dangers of SSRIs. A 2016 study in BMJ found that pharmaceutical companies routinely underreported serious side effects, including suicide attempts and aggressive behavior, in clinical trial reports submitted to regulators. This deliberate obfuscation has allowed SSRIs to remain on the market, despite their questionable efficacy and well-documented risks. Meanwhile, alternative treatments for depression—such as psychotherapy, exercise, and dietary changes—are often overlooked. Research shows that psychotherapy alone is more effective than antidepressants in reducing severe adverse events, including suicide attempts. Yet, these non-pharmaceutical options are rarely prioritized, leaving patients reliant on dangerous drugs.

Liberals’ hypocrisy and the media’s role

The liberal media’s response to Kennedy’s announcement has been nothing short of hysterical. Outlets like Mother Jones and Vanity Fair have dismissed his concerns as “anti-science,” while ignoring the wealth of evidence supporting his claims. This knee-jerk reaction reflects a broader trend of prioritizing pharmaceutical industry talking points over patient safety. Kennedy’s critics argue that SSRIs are essential for treating mental illness, but this narrative ignores the fact that these drugs often exacerbate the very conditions they’re meant to treat. As Kennedy himself has noted, the rise in school shootings and other acts of violence coincides with the widespread use of SSRIs. While correlation does not equal causation, the link is too significant to ignore. RFK Jr.’s investigation into SSRIs is a long-overdue step toward holding Big Pharma accountable for its role in the mental health crisis. By shining a light on the dangers of these drugs, Kennedy is challenging an industry that has prioritized profits over people for far too long. Whether through psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or safer medications, there are better ways to treat depression than relying on drugs that carry such grave risks. Kennedy’s critics may cry foul, but the evidence speaks for itself. It’s time to put patient safety above profit—and RFK Jr. is leading the charge in a move that could save countless lives.   Sources for this article include: ArmageddonProse.Substack.com ArmageddonProse.Substack.com Independent.co.uk ScientificAmerican.com MadInAmerica.com MadInAmerica.com
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