Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is stirring controversy after linking antidepressants to a tragic church shooting in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 18 others injured.
During a Fox & Friends interview, Kennedy responded to a question about psychiatric drugs and mass violence by saying, “We’re not ruling out anything. Some of these medications come with serious warnings for suicidal and even homicidal thoughts. We’re asking the NIH to investigate whether SSRIs could be playing a role.”
The shooter, Robert Westman, who died by suicide after the attack, had a history of mental health struggles and a fascination with mass killings. However, there’s no evidence that Westman was prescribed SSRIs or any psychiatric medication.
Experts are pushing back hard. “All the data suggest SSRIs are not the problem,” said Dr. Ragy R. Girgis, a psychiatrist at Columbia University.
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. They’re not typically used for gender-affirming treatment and don’t carry official warnings about homicidal ideation.
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith slammed Kennedy’s remarks. “I dare you to go to Annunciation School and tell our grieving community antidepressants are to blame,” she posted on Twitter.
While some studies suggest a very small number of people may experience aggression on SSRIs, researchers agree the medication itself isn’t the root cause of violence. Mental health professionals warn that spreading false narratives distracts from real solutions like addressing gun access and early intervention.
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