Running on Empty : Antidepressants and Youth Suicide

Running on Empty reviews the incidence of youth suicide (1425 years) since the 1980s in New Zealand, the cost of youth suicide to society, the incidence of mental health in young New Zealanders and the prescription of antidepressants to combat depression and anxiety in young people.

Despite the prescription of antidepressants to combat depression and suicide it appears that little headway has been made in reducing youth suicide rates in New Zealand since 1998. At that time youth suicide rates were 1:4 and in August 2019 they were 1:3.9 of the annual national total.

Scientific research on adverse reactions to antidepressants is reviewed along with a cost-effective analysis of this medical intervention. Alternative preventative strategies to combat youth suicide and a review of mental health and how it impacts on academic achievement are also presented.