Depression drug suicide rises by 25%

SUICIDES involving antidepressants have gone up by 25% since the pandemic, with women now more likely than men to take their own lives using the drugs.

- BY LUCY JOHNSTON Social Affairs Editor

Figures show 226 people in England died by antidepressant poisoning in 2024 - the highest since records began - up from 185 in 2019.

Antidepressant use is at record levels, with around 15% of adults in England receiving a prescription last year - the equivalent of 8.7 million people.