Behavioral Health Industry Exploits Untracked Psychiatric Medications with Telehealth on HHS Website

March 21, 2025

We are living in a world where children are prescribed mind-altering drugs at alarming rates, but no one tracks the consequences. This isn’t dystopian fiction—it’s happening today. As telehealth surges and is promoted by the US government, the behavioral health industry profits from prescribing dangerous psychiatric drugs to minors without accountability, while families remain powerless to report harms. The consequences of this unchecked industry are stark: systemic failures are now directly infringing on the basic human rights of children.

Every child has the right to protected from harm. Yet the U.S. government does not monitor how many children receive psychiatric drugs via telehealth, despite evidence of widespread off-label use. Adverse reactions like suicidal thoughts, weight gain, or diabetes are underreported, leaving families unaware of risks. Parents often aren’t told that medications are prescribed “off-label” (without FDA approval for children), violating their right to make informed choices. Studies show 55% of children experience serious side effects from antidepressants or antipsychotics, yet fewer than 1% of these cases are reported to systems like MEDWATCH. Without data, families can’t advocate for safer care.  Despite the lack of safety protocols, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) features it on their website.  Maybe the new secretary of the health & human services is unaware of the unequal access that is provided to the industry rather than to consumers on the website via telehealth.  It is time for Secretary Kennedy to act by highlighting access to the critical MedWatch drug safety program for the consumers on the HHS website.  It is time to demand collection of the appropriate data relating to mind altering psychiatric drugs.

Telehealth companies market quick fixes for mental health, but shortcuts endanger kids. 85% of psychotropic drugs are prescribed by pediatricians via telehealth, but according to the behavioral health industry this is all do to a critical shortage of specialists, of course -their specialists, claiming only 14 child psychiatrists per 100,000 children to justify widespread prescribing via telehealth.  It is a made-up concept, devoid of empirical evidence, to assert that there should be a specific ratio of psychiatrists to the general population.

This self-reported “crisis” conveniently ignores the lack of scientific validity in psychiatric drug use for children and deflects from the industry’s alarming lack of accountability and human rights protections. By promoting a narrative of scarcity, the sector pushes for expanded prescribing powers while evading scrutiny of its practices and outcomes. Off-label prescribing reaches 95% for antipsychotics in some cases, exposing children to untested risks. Controlled substances like ADHD drugs can be prescribed via telehealth without in-person exams in many states. The result? Children receive potent medications like SSRIs or antipsychotics after 30-minute video calls, with no long-term safety plan or exit strategy. Profit-driven platforms prioritize speed over safety, knowing there’s no system to flag overprescribing.

The behavioral health sector thrives while kids suffer. The behavioral health industry, under the guise of expanding access, now advocates for a dangerous free-for-all: urging nearly any provider to dispense psychiatric drugs via telehealth, recklessly disregarding safety protocols and long-term consequences for children’s developing brains.

Private equity invests heavily in telehealth startups, incentivizing volume over quality. Low-income and foster children are disproportionately targeted, as Medicaid reimbursements fund quick prescriptions without therapy. Meanwhile, MEDWATCH—the FDA’s safety portal—is nearly inaccessible to families. Complex reporting systems and lack of awareness mean less than 1% of adverse events are documented, letting companies evade accountability.

This isn’t just healthcare negligence—it’s a human rights crisis. Children deserve mandatory prescription tracking: HHS must monitor telehealth prescriptions and off-label use. They need transparent reporting: simplify MEDWATCH and require companies to disclose side effects. Profit caps should limit investor returns on psychiatric drugs prescribed to minors. Without change, we risk a generation harmed by unchecked corporate interests. As one study warns: “The risks of off-label prescribing are unknown, but the consequences are lifelong”. It’s time to treat children’s minds as more than a revenue stream.

Data from pediatric pharmacovigilance studies, telehealth prescription trends, and Medicaid reveal a system prioritizing profit over safety. Until reforms demand transparency, children’s rights remain collateral damage.

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