In some areas of West Belfast, almost half of the people are being proscribed anti-depressant drugs. This revelation, published in a local newspaper came to light around the same time it was revealed that the manufacturer of the drug Seroxat withheld evidence that the controversial drug increased the likelihood of suicide amongst teenagers.

Suicide is a major issue not only in West Belfast but amongst working class communities throughout Ireland, north and south. It’s imperative and the interest of the general public that the government establishes the direct link that exists between anti-depressants and suicides before more communities, families and lives are ripped apart by suicide epidemics.

Depression is an issue many people suffer from but often when treatment is sought they are given a proscription for quick fix anti-depressant drugs rather than real treatment. The IRSP have said for years on end this was not the way forward in tackling depression and suicide in working class communities.

The suicidal tendencies that Seroxat exacerbates are so great that Seroxat cannot be proscribed to anyone under the age of 18. In nine tests conducted by the drug’s manufacturer and pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) between 1994 and 2002 the drug was found ineffective in treating depression in children. 3.4% of children on the drug experienced mood changes, tried to harm themselves or thought of committing suicide, compared with 1.2% on placebo pills.

The new Stormont budget will see a cut in funding for those suffering mental illnesses with 500 workers set to loose their jobs in Community Health Care under the auspices of increased efficiency.

This is a crisis waiting to explode.