Our mental health time bomb - Antidepressant nation

AN Irish Examiner investigation today reveals the shocking state of mental health in Ireland, with almost half a million people being prescribed drugs for depression or anxiety.

It also found huge variations in prescribing rates and in the cost of drugs nationwide.

At the same time, the number of prescriptions written for anti-depression drugs under the General Medical Services Scheme increased by up to 25% between 2011 and 2012.