Drugs often do more harm than good for those suffering from mental illnesses

THE causes of deep-seated, that is, clinical, depression and the remedies for such depression are troubling matters for us all.

Hence, I welcome the debate on mental illness that was provoked by the comments of junior minister Tim O’Malley. But if it is to have any value it must be, as far as possible, a disinterested and informed debate.

However, beyond that must be the appropriate action and this is a point well made by Amnesty’s Fiona Crowley (Irish Examiner, November 28).