Why We’re More Reliant On Antidepressants: What About Their Side Effects?

Antidepressants are used to treat mental illnesses but could also lead to unwanted side effects. What does it mean when data are showing that more young adults are on them?

Catch Asst Prof Rayner Kay Jin Tan in CNA’s Talking Point episode titled “The ‘Happy Pill’: What Is It Doing To Us?” as he unpacks the public health implications of having more young people on antidepressants in Singapore in the context of other treatment options. He also responded to the question of what it would mean for the Singapore society to have an entire generation reliant on antidepressants.

Dr Rayner Tan is also a co-lead of SG Mental Health Matters, a mental health advocacy group, and a co-lead of Project Hayat, a ground-up initiative to develop a National Suicide Prevention Strategy in Singapore. He is also treasurer of the Society of Behavioural Health, Singapore.