RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Stance on Meds Will Actually Kill Women and Babies
Do I have your attention?
Hello Critical Communicator readers!
I'm pleased to feature yet another guest writer today, posting under the pseudonym "The (Non-Psuedo)Science-Backed Perinatal Therapist." Like many of you, this writer isn't at liberty to speak her mind publicly, but she has much to share about the state of our country right now, specifically about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s attacks on certain medications.
A quick personal note: Before RFK Jr. was even confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, I too was extremely disturbed by his anti-science stances on vaccines and medications. (A reminder that this man, who is now in charge of the federal agency dedicated to the health and well-being of all Americans, does not have a medical background.) With the news that particular medications for mental health and ADHD are now under attack, my family and I now worry that the meds we take for everyday survival could be stripped away at any given moment. (Full transparency: My husband and I each take an SSRI, and our daughter is on ADHD medication.)
I am so grateful to today’s guest writer for spelling out, from a clinical perspective (she is a licensed therapist), the dangers that RFK Jr. poses to our health.
If you would like to anonymously voice your feelings on this Substack about what's happening in the United States, please contact me at hello@sareneleedswrites.com, or on Signal at sareneleedswrites.15.
My next post arrives tomorrow, Friday, February 21.
—Sarene
Turning things over now to "The (Non-Psuedo)Science Backed Perinatal Therapist":
As a perinatal psychotherapist who has worked closely with mothers, families, and healthcare professionals, it’s impossible to sit idly by while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promotes harmful rhetoric surrounding SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and stimulant medications. His views, which dangerously stigmatize these life-saving medications, are not only scientifically flawed but also reckless. They perpetuate fear and misinformation at a time when we need more clarity, understanding, and compassion — especially for women who are pregnant or postpartum, and already facing a mountain of fear and challenges in a country that is wildly unfriendly to women and mothers.
First, let me be clear: Medicine saves lives. Just like a diabetic needs insulin, psychotropic medication can be the lifeline needed to keep someone here on earth, including new mothers. As a therapist who specializes in and is certified in perinatal/reproductive mental health, I’ve seen firsthand how psychiatric medications, including SSRIs and stimulants, offer essential support to individuals suffering from mental health conditions during pregnancy and early parenthood, including severe depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and beyond. And for many, particularly women, these medications are not a luxury — they are an essential component to a well-thought-out treatment plan from a MEDICAL DOCTOR (notice, between a patient and their doctor*, a key component we need to understand when we're assessing who is in charge and why, and a careful consideration for those touting "medical freedom" as their reason for loving RFK Jr. so much).
When RFK Jr. claims that these medications are dangerous and unnecessary, he is completely disregarding the decades of research and the lived experiences of people who depend on them in this country. Let’s talk about the reality of perinatal mental health. Perinatal depression and anxiety are not just “bad moods.” These conditions are serious, often life-threatening disorders that impact millions of women around the world. In fact, perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs) are the #1 COMPLICATION OF CHILDBIRTH: One in five new moms and one in 10 new dads.
Research shows that untreated depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum period can lead to catastrophic outcomes, including maternal suicide, infanticide, preterm birth, low birth weight, and impaired bonding with the child. Yet, instead of advocating for access to evidence-based treatments that could prevent such tragedies, RFK Jr. is sowing doubt, and instead promoting adjunctive treatments only, contributing to an environment where women might be afraid to seek help, or worse, might be denied access to medications that are crucial for their health and safety. And as a therapist who can ONLY use non-pharmacological interventions in her work, I'm here to tell you, this is not one size fits all. In fact, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is often the gold standard for achieving lasting improvement in mental healthcare treatment for countless individuals. Wellness farms ain't, y'all.
It is beyond frustrating to see how RFK Jr.'s sensationalist stance on these medications — often rooted in discredited conspiracy theories and the conflation of rare, isolated incidents — could lead to more women suffering in silence. The evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of SSRIs for the treatment of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is robust. Clinical trials, real-world data, and expert consensus all affirm that for many women, these medications are not only safe but necessary. In fact, the risks associated with untreated maternal mental health disorders far outweigh any potential risks tied to taking prescribed medications (again, BY AN MD!).
I don’t say this lightly. I’ve worked with countless women who, prior to starting medication, were unable to function. Their daily lives were consumed by overwhelming symptoms of depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. Their ability to care for themselves, let alone their newborn children, was compromised. Medications have allowed them to regain stability, reclaim their joy, and connect with their children in meaningful, healthy ways. These are the outcomes that RFK Jr. is endangering with his reckless anti-medication rhetoric.
And let’s not forget about the children, because if the Republican Party wants "more babies" and to tout family values, let's actually consider them beyond birth. If women are discouraged or unable to take the medications that help them feel mentally well, the consequences for their children can be dire. Newborns and young children rely on the mental well-being of their caregivers for healthy development and for all basic needs to be met. When mothers suffer untreated mental health conditions, their ability to bond, interact, and respond to their child’s needs is impaired. This is a generational issue, one that affects the mental health and well-being of future generations. RFK Jr.'s message only makes this problem worse.
What’s more, his stance on stimulant medications is equally dangerous. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a legitimate, often debilitating condition that can have a profound impact on a person's life, particularly in the context of a parent’s ability to care for their children and function in day-to-day life. Stimulants, when prescribed appropriately and monitored by a healthcare professional, are proven to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with ADHD. By dismissing the efficacy of these medications, RFK Jr. is risking the lives of children who depend on their parents being mentally sharp and able to manage the demands of raising a family. Every day, I encounter families who face the complex challenge of managing perinatal mental health while trying to raise healthy children. The narrative that RFK Jr. perpetuates makes it harder for those families to access the help they need.
It’s easy for someone in a position of privilege to dismiss these medications when they’ve never felt the suffocating grip of untreated mental illness, or worse, when they haven’t seen the devastation it can cause in real time. But I’m here to tell you: Medicine works. It saves lives. We cannot afford to entertain anti-medication rhetoric at a time when mental health challenges are at their peak, for all individuals. However, it is notable that we must especially consider the impacts of promoting wellness farms and meditation over meds for new moms who already lack enough support in this country.
Less than half of new parents struggling with postpartum depression actually access help — what would happen if even more were unable to? The consequences of RFK Jr.’s dangerous views will be felt in hospital wards, in homes, and in the lives of women and children if this is not challenged — your sister, your daughter, or your friend could be the victim of such deplorable misinformation and reinforcement of stigma.
I implore you to take a stand against this dangerous misinformation and support access to psychiatric care and medications that truly save lives. The health and safety of women and children truly depend on it. Don't be quiet, make noise, and get into good trouble speaking up about this. If for nothing else, do it for the mothers without whom we would not be here.
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