A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has found that antidepressants are no more effective than counselling.
The rate of prescription drugs tackling depression has doubled in the last 10 years with ‘57.1 million prescriptions dispensed in 2014. Yet in my experience, a number of counselling services have dropped in recent years due to, as many of them say lack of funding.’
The post-pandemic backlog
Many are still feeling the impact of lockdown. With feelings left over from being stuck at home, losing friends and family etc. As we return to a ‘new normal’, the NHS is still stretched and underfunded. And more and more people are requiring mental health services.
With the backlog, and the inability to get face to face doctors appointments, antidepressants have become the go to. Why is it that funding has been cut for services that many people suffering from depression want and need?
Antidepressants vs. counselling
The Professor of Psychological Medicine at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, states that the highest rates of recovery are from those having both antidepressants and counselling together.
It seems that we are letting down the people in need of mental health services. When, in fact, the need for mental health services is rising.
