The number of prescriptions handed out to children under 16 for depression and mental health disorders has quadrupled in a decade, official figures indicate. GPs in England wrote more than 631,000 such prescriptions for children in the last financial year, compared to just 146,000 in the mid-1990s.
But at the same time, figures suggest the rate of mental health problems in the young has not changed markedly.
GPs rejected charges they dish out drugs too freely.
The drug figures were obtained by David Laws, the Liberal Democrat shadow children's secretary.
He said: "I think it is a major concern that drugs seem to be prescribed so easily these days to children of school age.
"In the past, not only were there not as many of these types of drugs on the market, there was an assumption, I think, that people would try to get to the source of the problem, rather than simply prescribing drugs."
The Department of Children, Schools and Family said it was committed in helping "every child to have a happy and healthy childhood".
A spokesperson added that it had recently pledged £60m to support schools work with "mental health practitioners and others to improve the emotional well-being of pupils".
But there is also some debate as to whether mental health disorders really are rising within the young.
In its last major report on the prevalence of such problems in 2004, the Office of National Statistics found the figures were broadly unchanged from a previous survey in 1999.
One in 10 were found to have some form of disorder, ranging from the very minor to the very serious.
These latest figures on child prescriptions follow others which suggest that that the rate of antidepressant prescriptions for the population as a whole has hit a record high.
- The virtual learning environment a comprehensiv...
- Try STAEDTLER’s Handwriting Pen for yourself
- New integrated PC is good for the planet and br...
- OKI announces winner at BETT Show 2009
- Sure Start: lifeline or waste of money?
- Secure ICT desks for schools that readily accom...
- Free software to teach deaf children synthetic...
- Teachers2Parents Text Messaging system
- Simplify Your School Network Administration
- Join DK’s Virtual Roman Army
How do you usually research additional lesson information?
- 14 - 17 January, 2009
BETT 2009 - UK
