Young girls aged 17 and under are increasingly likely to be prescribed antidepressants in Quebec, up 62% in just five years.
“When you don’t have access to [la psychothérapie], you still have access to pills, notes psychiatrist Karine Igartua. This is one of the solutions we have. Is it the best? It depends on the person, but it is the only one whose access is uniform, thanks to the public plan.
The doctor at the Montreal General Hospital is not surprised to see the number of Quebecers taking antidepressants increase. They were more than 615,000 last year, according to the most recent data published by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
This is 20% more for five years and the increase is even more marked among young girls (see table).
“We have taken habits collectively which are not good for our brain”, believes the Dre Igartua to explain this rise in distress. She particularly blames smart phones, which constantly demand attention and which many people keep in hand until the bathroom or in the middle of the night.
And, according to her, teenage girls are particularly susceptible to harmful comparisons on social media.
More at risk
The pediatrician in adolescent medicine at the CHU Sainte-Justine, Olivier Jamoulle, maintains that several studies confirm that adolescent girls are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression.
The doctor also adds that he has observed an “impressive increase in eating disorders” in his practice.
If we should not demonize the taking of antidepressants, the Dr Jamoulle believes that the RAMQ data requires “a moment of reflection” in Quebec.
Education needed
These drugs can be helpful and safe, he says, but prescribing for a teenager needs careful consideration. On the other hand, he also notices that antidepressants are more widespread in Quebec than in Europe, for example.
Doctors are advocating for more mental health education for young people to learn how to manage distress.
“To be healthy, the brain needs eight hours of sleep. You have to exercise and have a sense of community, of belonging”, pleads in turn the Dre Foretold
The RAMQ paid out a total of nearly $104 million in 2022 for antidepressant drugs.
Two years to see a shrink despite major depression
Suffering from major depression at the age of 20, Martine Vendette had access to antidepressants, but she had to wait two years to see a psychologist.
“When you’re drowning, it’s a lifesaver. It’ll get you out of the water, but it doesn’t teach you how to swim,” the 27-year-old breathes on the importance of psychotherapy.
Despite the medication, she went two years without being able to hold a job, for example. If antidepressants can give a “recovery”, it is still necessary to know what to do with it, she continues.
Today a facilitator for the Fondation Jeunes en tête, she participates in awareness workshops in schools to equip young people and prevent distress.
Young “damaged”
She remarks that they are “banged up” after three years of the pandemic. “Young people want to get help, but there isn’t enough,” she laments.
“It is certain that there is a distress at the moment and we must find a way as a society to respond to it,” adds the director general of the Foundation, Mélanie Boucher. In the past year, approximately 220,000 people have accessed his organization’s online help kits.
Butme Boucher emphasizes that they are not a substitute for professional help.
More prevention
She pleads for more prevention with young people, in particular to help them earlier and avoid them falling on waiting lists.
Because the sources of anxiety add up, says Myriam Day Asselin, Director of Innovation and Development at Tel-jeunes. The calls received by the organization are no longer about a single problem, but a whole range.
Photo provided by Tel-Jeunes
Myriam Day Asselin, Director of Innovation and Development at Tel-jeunes
She names performance anxiety at school for good grades, the stress of first love experiences or even eco-anxiety related to global warming.
Not to mention the difficult events in the news, she continues. “They are also bombarded by social media and hyper aware of what is happening,” she illustrates.
Up for five years
Number of people consuming antidepressants in Quebec, under the public plan
Girls 17 and under
- 2018 : 3423
- 2022 : 5528
- 62% increase
Women 18 to 64
- 2018 : 171 210
- 2022 : 185 642
- 8% increase
Seniors 65 and over
- 2018 : 168 798
- 2022 : 217 842
- 29% increase
Boys 17 and under
- 2018 : 2064
- 2022 : 2665
- 29% increase
Men 18 to 64 years old
- 2018 : 94 387
- 2022 : 101 896
- 8% increase
Seniors 65 and over
- 2018 : 75 104
- 2022 : 102 342
- 36% increase
Source: RAMQ