Treating Depression in Pregnancy Is Lifesaving—Here’s What the FDA Panel Got Wrong

• By: Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health Specialist and Adjunct Professor, Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College
• July 24th, 2025
• FDA policy, health equity, maternal mental health, mental health, mental health stigma, perinatal depression, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, pregnancy, reproductive health access, ssri treatment, suicide prevention
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This week, the FDA held an unbalanced and largely inaccurate panel discussion on SSRI use during pregnancy. Of the 10 presenters on the panel (three from outside the U.S.), only one represented the robust body of research demonstrating the safety and efficacy of taking SSRIs during the perinatal...