A record number of people in England, approximately one in seven, were prescribed antidepressants in the past year, reflecting a sharp increase in mental health issues like depression and anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend has led to a surge in pill usage, with 9.1 million patients receiving the drugs, marking a more than 15 percent rise over the last five years.
Regional and Socioeconomic Disparities
The data reveals a notable regional divide in antidepressant prescriptions. Rates are highest in areas like North Cumbria and South Yorkshire, nearly double those observed in affluent parts of London. Furthermore, individuals in England's most deprived communities received approximately one-third more prescriptions compared to those in the least disadvantaged areas.
Escalating Prescription Numbers
Last year, 96 million antidepressant prescription items were dispensed, an increase of 21 percent from the 79.4 million dispensed five years prior. The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board reported the highest rate, with 200 out of every 1,000 patients prescribed medication. Women constitute the majority of recipients, accounting for 65 percent of patients, with around 5.9 million women prescribed the drugs.
Post-Pandemic Mental Health Landscape
The rise in antidepressant use coincides with a significant increase in mental health problems. The proportion of adults experiencing significant symptoms of depression remains nearly twice as high as pre-pandemic levels. In April 2025, 18 percent of adults, equivalent to nearly one in five, reported such symptoms, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure is even higher among younger adults aged 16 to 29, with over one in four affected.
Expert Perspectives on Prescribing Trends
Experts express concern over the escalating figures. Dr. John Read, professor of clinical psychology at the University of East London, described the situation as an 'epidemic of overprescribing,' suggesting doctors are increasingly expected to manage broader social and life problems with medication. Conversely, Professor Dame Clare Gerada, former chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, believes the numbers reflect broader societal changes and increased stress rather than solely overprescribing. She noted that patients often present with symptoms of low mood and sleep disturbances and inquire about antidepressant options.
Concerns for Children and Young Adults
Mental illness rates have also risen among children. By 2023, one in five eight-to-16-year-olds had a probable mental disorder, up from roughly one in six in 2020. For the first time in four years, the number of children prescribed antidepressants increased, reaching 63,609 last year, despite warnings about potential increased risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior in younger individuals. General practitioners are advised against initiating antidepressant treatment for under-18s without specialist assessment, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends psychological therapy alongside medication.
Long-Term Use and Treatment Alternatives
Professor Joanna Moncrieff, a psychiatrist at University College London, suggested that many patients are remaining on antidepressants longer than initially intended. While NHS guidance advises a six-month course after symptom improvement, half of those prescribed these medications have reportedly been taking them for over two years, and a quarter for more than five years. NICE guidelines recommend that for less severe depression, antidepressants should not be the first-line treatment unless preferred by the patient, with psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy being alternatives. However, lengthy waiting lists for talking therapies can lead patients and GPs to opt for the immediate availability of antidepressant prescriptions.