Opinion: MAHA is rewriting the vocabulary of American mental health care
He previously served as senior adviser for children, youth, and families at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. At a May MAHA Institute summit organized around the theme of “overmedicalization,” the health secretary announced an action plan to promote psychiatric deprescribing. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would study prescribing trends and publish fact sheets.
- ▪He previously served as senior adviser for children, youth, and families at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- ▪At a May MAHA Institute summit organized around the theme of “overmedicalization,” the health secretary announced an action plan to promote psychiatric deprescribing.
- ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would study prescribing trends and publish fact sheets.
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OpinionFirst Opinion MAHA is rewriting the vocabulary of American mental health care ‘Wellness,’ ‘metabolic dysfunction,’ ‘dependency crisis’ — this language smuggles in an agenda Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article Adobe By Sunny PatelJuly 17, 2026 Patel is associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He previously served as senior adviser for children, youth, and families at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. At a May MAHA Institute summit organized around the theme of “overmedicalization,” the health secretary announced an action plan to promote psychiatric deprescribing. At first look, it seemed innocuous.
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