The author reports on recent warnings made by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the risk for suicidality in children using antidepressant drugs. He reviews the research findings that precipitated the warnings & outlines the debate in the literature. He also explores the challenges of distinguishing between drug reactions & depressive symptoms in depressed patients using antidepressant drugs, & reviews some research perspectives weighing the risks & benefits of antidepressant medications.