Psychiatrists Urge Removal of HHS Secretary RFK Jr.
On Oct. 6, 2025, two U.S. psychiatry organizations — the Southern California Psychiatry Society and the Committee to Protect Public Mental Health — publicly called for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be replaced, saying his actions (including staff firings at SAMHSA and policy pushes in the MAHA report) have increased stigma and harmed access to mental‑health and addiction care. The groups cite declines in federal support for overdose‑prevention programs, concerns about attacks on psychiatric medications, and quotes from named clinicians; HHS responded through spokesperson Emily Hilliard defending Secretary Kennedy’s agenda.
Health
Government/Regulatory
📌 Key Facts
- Southern California Psychiatry Society (represents more than 1,000 clinicians) and Committee to Protect Public Mental Health (≈50 members) called for RFK Jr.'s removal.
- Groups cite earlier 2025 firings at SAMHSA and HHS efforts to shrink or shutter the agency that supports overdose‑prevention and state/local addiction programs.
- HHS issued a statement (spokesperson Emily Hilliard) defending Secretary Kennedy’s commitment to his administration’s health agenda; the dispute centers on the MAHA report's treatment of psychotropic medications.