You are in:
- Contents » Colour Supplement
Blues For England
England is depressed. Consumption of Prozac and its equivalents has continued to increase throughout all counties. The situation appears to be beyond control.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg says there has been an "explosion" in anti-depressant use with 31 million prescriptions issued in 2006 including 631,000 for children.
The cost of treating mental ill-health in Britain is estimated at £77 billion per year. That's a lot of mental health.
Are doctors giving anti-depressants to patients like a grocer selling candy ? The jury is out.
Nonetheless, Clegg says medication "Should be the default option, prescribed by doctors because a lack of access to psychological therapies".
(The British government has announced a new allocation of £170 for psychological therapies).
Right or wrong, Clegg is saying, 'Don't take the pill'.


