MORE than £18 million was spent on anti-depressants in Northern Ireland last year, a £7 million increase on the previous year. Whilst health officials said price increases among some of the most commonly used anti-depressant drugs had led to a "significant impact" on costs, there is no doubt that poor mental health is increasing.

The amount spent on such medication, which can be used to treat a range of conditions, including depression and anxiety, had increased year on year in Northern Ireland since 2017 when over £10 million was spent.

The Royal College of GPs has said the Covid-19 pandemic had caused a "tsunami of mental health issues which GPs are witnessing and managing in communities across Northern Ireland… Unfortunately,