Antidepressants and suicide in young people

A number of recent studies have allayed fears about antidepressants precipitating suicidal behaviour in young people. Indeed, antidepressants appear to be conspicuous by their absence of use in young people who die by suicide. Furthermore, there is concern that the reduced prescribing of antidepressants to young people may be associated with an increase in youth suicide in the United States. Although not first-line treatment, antidepressants should not be denied young people if psychosocial and cognitive behavioural therapies are not effective for major depression.