Concern as amount of anti-depressants dispensed in NI rises
MLA voices fears pandemic could have further impact on the situation
NORTHERN Ireland has “broken its own record for issuing anti-depressant prescriptions”, an MLA has claimed.
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford made the statement in the Assembly on Tuesday, after it emerged that the amount of antidepressants dispensed in Northern Ireland is on the rise.
Latest figures show that, from January to December 2020, more than 2.75 million items were dispensed. Over the same period in 2019, this figure was 2.5m and in 2018 it was 2.4m.
The annual total number of items dispensed in 2019 was 3.4m, while in 2018 this figure was 3.2m. Mr Stalford voiced fears of the further impact the Covid pandemic could have on the situation.
“These figures already point to that impact, particularly in April and June of 2020 which showed significant increases on the previous year. Whilst the full data for 2020 will now have been published, it would seem inevitable that this trend will have extended into 2021 also,” he said in a statement. “Indeed, anecdotal evidence would suggest that many people have found the lockdown since Christmas even more challenging and that could have a further impact.
“The Executive has appointed a Mental Health Champion, and I know the First Minister has regularly voiced concerns over the huge challenges we will face in coming years. Isolation, loneliness and the other pressures people have faced over recent months will have had a significant impact and we must all be aware that the impact of this will be with us for many years to come.”
Mr Stalford said the first step to tackling the problem is to ensure that a way forward is charted “which allows people sight of the better days ahead which have been promised for so long”.
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said the pandemic has taken a “heavy toll on the collective mental well-being of everyone”. “However, many have reached the point that they have sought support from their GP and they are to be applauded for this positive step. Thankfully, people suffering in silence about their mental well-being is becoming a thing of the past,” she said.
“Prescribed medication is just one part of the solution and I welcome the moves by the Interim Mental Health Champion to lead on the Department of Health’s consultation for a new mental health strategy. This must, surely, include increased access to counselling and therapeutic treatments, in a timely and patient-centred manner.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health (DOH) said that demand for mental health services has grown over the last few years, and has continued to do so during the pandemic.
“A new draft 10-year mental health strategy is currently out for public consultation. The strategy is designed to improve mental health outcomes for people and sets out a new vision for mental health in Northern Ireland,” they said.
“A mental health strategy will be a key strategic driver for the commissioning and provision of mental health services in the future. The department is also seeking to appoint a Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland and it is expected the successful candidate will take up post in September 2021.”
‘The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the mental well-being of everyone’