A DUMBARTON-BASED counsellor has expressed her “surprise” at figures which reveal more than 5,000 children in Scotland were on anti-depressants in 2017/18.

The investigation, by BBC Radio 4’s File on 4 programme, found 5,572 under-18s had been taking anti-depressants.

And there was a 27 per cent rise since 2015 in the number of children under 13 on these drugs: 280 in 2017/2018, up from 221 in 2015/2016. 

Arlyn Bolton, of the A. Bolton Counselling Service, says the 27 per cent increase is a “significant jump and a concerning one”.

She said: “It’s great that young people are coming forward and being open about their experience with mental health concerns. 

“Stigma surrounding mental health and emotional wellbeing is starting to reduce and in my own private practice I am seeing an increase in diversity of client presenting for help with mental health.” 

But Arlyn highlighted that she believes medication should not be the first port of call when treating young people for mental illness.

“In my opinion, antidepressants and anti anxiety medications can be a much needed medical support for people and can work well,” she explained.

“I do however feel we need to be quicker at prescribing talking therapies to support clients such as counselling, mindfulness and support groups. 

“Talking therapies should be prescribed prior to medications. 

“These services should be available freely in local communities for all who feel they need it.”

In response to the figures, a spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Referral rates to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services have remained steady in recent years.

“We aim to see and treat all appropriate cases as quickly as possible, with the average length of wait currently meeting, and exceeding, Scottish Government waiting time targets.

“Each individual patient receives a tailored treatment plan, and, in some cases, anti-depressant medication can be useful when prescribed by specialists as part of a treatment package.”