About Us

What is ACE?

Antidepressant Coalition for Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the risks, limitations, and long-term impacts of antidepressant medications.

While antidepressants are widely prescribed, there is a critical gap in both public understanding and medical education about the range of potential side effects, withdrawal challenges, and the limited research on long-term safety. ACE exists to bridge that gap.

We believe that individuals deserve informed consent, accurate information, and safer treatment options. Our work centers around three pillars: Education, Advocacy, and Research.

Education

We share evidence-based information and real patient experiences to help individuals and providers better understand antidepressants, withdrawal, and informed care.

Advocacy

We work towards safer prescribing, informed consent, and recognition of serious adverse effects through public awareness and policy change.

Research

We support and promote research into the adverse effects and long-term outcomes of antidepressants.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission
To educate the public and healthcare providers, advocate for change, and support research on the risks and realities of antidepressant use and discontinuation.
We are committed to promoting informed consent by ensuring individuals have access to complete and transparent information before starting or stopping antidepressants. We seek to challenge certain assumptions in mental health care and foster honest, evidence-based conversations about antidepressant medications.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every person has access to honest, and evidence-based information about antidepressants — including their potential risks.

In the world we envision, healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support truly informed consent and safe, individualized treatment plans. Tapering guidance is rooted in research and patient experience, not one-size-fits-all protocols. The lived experiences of those harmed by medication mismanagement are recognized, respected, and used to inform change.

Why This Matters

With approximately 13% of Americans taking antidepressants, many face severe adverse effects and lack proper support when discontinuing them. ACE is committed to raising awareness and advocating for informed consent and safer prescribing practices to protect the well-being of millions of patients.

Our Goals

Informed Consent

We aim to ensure that individuals are fully informed about the potential risks before starting antidepressants. We advocate for transparency in prescribing practices and accessible patient education materials.

Improve Support

We work to raise awareness about safer ways to reduce or stop antidepressants gradually and with proper support. Our goal is to help patients and providers minimize harm through individualized, evidence-informed approaches.

Advance Independent Research

We support research focused on long-term antidepressant use, withdrawal, and patient-reported outcomes. By highlighting real-world experiences, we aim to fill critical gaps in current medical understanding.

Board of Directors

Morgan Stewart

Founder

Mairin Reardon, RN

Medical Liaison

General Advisory Board

Danielle Gansky

Taylor Fisher

Medical Advisory Board

Amanda Burnett, RN

Nicole Lamberson, PA

Jennifer Giordano, DO

Shawn Gill, PharmD

Josef Witt-Doerring, MD

Community Liaisons

Antoinette Glover

Kelly Sears-Dessonville

Christina Yeager