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The world is facing a mental health crisis that demands urgent action. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression have skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, which is a peer-reviewed journal from the Armed Forces, PTSD combined with anxiety disorders or depression diagnoses increased by 177% and 138%, respectively, from 2019 to 2023.
This alarming trend extends beyond the military. Civilian adults and, distressingly, children are also experiencing significant increases in mental health disorders. A recent behavior risk survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that nearly 40% of high school students (9th-12th grade) reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Even more concerning, 20.4% of these students seriously considered suicide.
While the prevalence of these disorders continues to grow, the effectiveness of current treatments remains deeply inadequate. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil—the first line of therapy for depression and anxiety—help only half of those who take them, with just a third experiencing remission. Furthermore, SSRIs can produce unintended side effects, including heightened anxiety, which may counteract their intended therapeutic effects.
For pregnant women, SSRIs cross the placenta and are absorbed into breast milk, posing potential risks to fetal development and possibly disrupting gut-brain interactions. These challenges underscore the urgent need for improved therapies for depression and anxiety.
Despite the growing mental health crisis, funding for research in this field is worryingly low. Last year, the budget allocated to mental health research by the National Institutes of Health, the primary source of medical research funding in the U.S., actually decreased.
Emerging research suggests that much remains unknown about the mechanisms behind SSRIs and mental health disorders. While serotonin is often referred to as the “happy hormone,” known for its anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects, most of the serotonin in the body (over 90%) is found in the gut—not the brain. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in both the brain and gut, raising an important question: Is it the serotonin in the brain that alleviates anxiety and depression, or could the gut’s serotonin play a crucial role? This raises the possibility that targeting serotonin in the gut might provide a more effective and less harmful treatment for mental health disorders.
A recent animal study I conducted suggests that increasing serotonin levels specifically in the gastrointestinal tract improves anxiety and depression, offering hope for a more targeted and effective approach to treatment. This approach could avoid the systemic side effects of SSRIs, such as fetal exposure in pregnant women, while still providing the therapeutic benefits needed for mental health improvement.
It is vital that research into the gut-brain connection and its role in mental health becomes a priority in both political and scientific spheres. With a new presidential administration, it is essential to focus on mental health initiatives, such as the formation of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, which is already a positive step forward.
A more ambitious effort, akin to the White House’s “Cancer Moonshot,” would be necessary to tackle the mental health crisis. The Cancer Moonshot initiative has fostered collaboration among the federal government, private companies, healthcare providers, patient groups, philanthropies, and the general public to combat cancer. Similarly, a Mental Health Moonshot would focus on improving mental health care through widespread screening and preventative programs, better access to quality care, and increased research funding for new treatments. Equitable access for all populations, including military members and children, must also be a priority.
As with the Cancer Moonshot, a collaborative effort between the government, private companies, nonprofits, academic institutions, and patient groups is essential to combat the growing mental health crisis and improve outcomes for millions of individuals affected.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any organization or government entity. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for specific medical concerns.
