NI charity: 500 teenagers on anti-depressants here in one year
Northern Ireland's national depression charity AWARE has revealed 500 teenagers under the age of 15 were on anti-depressant medication in 2014/15.
Figures provided by the Department of Health show 300,000 people were prescribed the treatment by their GP in that period.
500 of those were under the age of 15.
Michelle Byrne from the charity believes the statistics show the extent of the problem among our young people.
The Communications officer called for more investment in support services to meet the demand across the province.
"Suicide rates and the rate of mental illness in Northern Ireland is much higher than any other region in the UK.
"It is therefore important that our government treat it like this and treat it with the urgency that it requires.
"We are trying our best to support people with depression but unfortunately like a lot of other mental health charities, we are restricted in what we can do in terms of money that we get.
"We would call on the government to do more and step in and help the voluntary organisations that are trying to support people with illnesses such as depression in Northern Ireland. "
The charity also revealed they are struggling to cope with the extent of people suffering from the condition in certain areas across the province.
"I think charities like AWARE and other mental health charities are certainly doing their best to try and keep up with the numbers," Michelle said.
She added: "There is more work to be done in terms of how we, as a country we support people with depression."
As a charity, AWARE has observed a notable rise in the need for its services in the north west of the province.
"AWARE offer support groups throughout Northern Ireland.
"Currently we have 25, we have just launched our third support group in Derry/Londonderry and that really is down to the demand that we are hearing from people on the ground that there is more support needed."
Figures obtained by Downtown Cool FM show 59 people died by suicide in Londonderry and the greater surrounding area in the last three years.
From August 2013 to March 2017, 47 of those, almost 80%, were male.
Just last week Downtown Cool FM reported the story of 23-year-old Jack Glenn who took his own life in the area earlier this year.
Michelle says there could be a number of factors that influence suicide rates.
"There's a number of reasons why mental illness is higher in various locations.
"The level of poverty and deprivation plays a massive impact.
"Especially on our young people if they see no future because they're maybe struggling to get a job, they're struggling with money, they're struggling to pay debt, it can have a huge impact on your stress levels."
"Northern Ireland is a country emerging from a post conflict situation.
"That is going to have a massive impact on people's mental health in terms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well.
"We are now starting to see the stigma of depression and other mental illnesses decrease.
"Charities like AWARE and other mental health charities are getting the message out there to openly talk about your mental health and talk about how you're feeling."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like help or support contact AWARE or phone Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
Alternatively, if you would like to tell us your story as part of our #InvestinLife campaign, contact tara.mclaughlin@downtown.co.uk/02891815211.