Story perspectives

Kennedy Links Psychiatric Drugs to Rising Mass Shootings

9/1/2025

Summary

Story summary

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced studies on psychiatric drugs, including SSRIs, after a Minnesota Catholic school shooting.
The shooter, Robin Westman, had severe depression and mentioned suicidal thoughts in a manifesto.
Kennedy called mass shootings a health crisis, linking behavior changes to overmedication and urging investigations into psychiatric drug effects.
SSRIs, which have warnings about increased suicidal thoughts in those under 24, have seen rising prescriptions amid climbing depression rates.

History

Historical Context

The Columbine High School massacre in 1999 intensified national concerns about youth violence and mental health, coinciding with a 400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions from 1990 to 2000. Today, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. links the Minnesota shooting to this mental health crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for investigations into the effects of psychiatric medications on young people amid rising depression rates.

1 of 2

Story summary

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced studies on psychiatric drugs, including SSRIs, after a Minnesota Catholic school shooting.
The shooter, Robin Westman, had severe depression and mentioned suicidal thoughts in a manifesto.
Kennedy called mass shootings a health crisis, linking behavior changes to overmedication and urging investigations into psychiatric drug effects.
SSRIs, which have warnings about increased suicidal thoughts in those under 24, have seen rising prescriptions amid climbing depression rates.

1 / 2