Tens of thousands of young people and chilren in England are being prescribed antidepressants by their doctors, according to data obtained by The Guardian.
Figures from NHS England showed that 166,510 under 18s, including 10,500 seven to 12-years-olds and 537 aged six years or under were given medication typically used to treat depression and anxiety between April 2015 and 2016.
The numbers have prompted concerns that medics may be overprescribing strong drugs because of stretched and underfunded mental health services.
Share your stories
We want to hear from parents and young people over the age of 16 about taking antidepressant medications. What do you take it for? Do you think this medication is given out too readily? Or do you think it’s very important that young people have access to it? Share your stories, views and comments.
- As this is a sensitive topic, please be reassured that we will not share or publish any personal details without obtaining contributors’ permission first.
