Posts question whether medications prescribed for mental health conditions are safe

Another post alleged that “ignoring worries” improves mental health.

This past week, posts discussed a recent executive order to investigate medications that are prescribed to treat mental health conditions, with some expressing unfounded concerns about the medications’ safety. Another popular post advocated for “ignoring worries” to improve mental health and sparked debate about the effectiveness of therapy.

In response, communicators may share information about medications that treat mental health conditions, highlight the benefits of therapy, and share additional mental health treatment options.

---

What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health

On February 13, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for the formation of a team to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs.” Social media posts discussed the order across multiple platforms, with many expressing outrage. One X post from a senator sharing a screenshot of the order received approximately 1.6 million views, 9,400 likes, 3,400 reposts, and 6,900 comments as of February 20. The senator’s post called the executive order “an astonishing denial of science” that “will cause so much pain” to millions of people with a mental health condition. Comments debated whether medications prescribed for mental health conditions are safe and effective.

On February 10, an X post from a psychologist alleged that “ignoring worries can improve mental health.” The post included images of a 2023 study titled, “Improving mental health by training the suppression of unwanted thoughts,” which found that learning how to suppress worries helped participants with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression reduce their symptoms over a three-month period. The post received approximately 2.4 million views, 15,000 likes, 2,500 reposts, and 300 comments as of February 20. Many commenters questioned whether therapy could worsen mental health by encouraging people to discuss their distressing thoughts. Others correctly noted that the study only looked at the short-term impact of suppression in people with three mental health conditions and that this technique may not be effective for everyone who struggles with their mental health.

---

Recommendations for public health professionals

Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.

In light of concerns about the safety of psychiatric medications, communicators may share the types of medications that are prescribed to treat mental health conditions and outline what patients can expect when beginning treatment. Messaging may stress that these medications are safe when taken as directed. People who take medications for mental health conditions should talk to their health care provider about their medical history and other medications they take before starting treatment and inform their health care provider if they experience any adverse effects.

Questions about the effectiveness of therapy provide an opportunity to highlight the goals and benefits of therapy, outline different types of therapy, and explain what to look for in a therapist. Sharing therapist directories and sliding scale therapy options is recommended. Communicators may also want to share additional mental health resources like support groups, local mental health centers, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.