GPs giving antidepressants to children against guidelines

Guidance states under-18s should only get such drugs alongside therapy and after being assessed by a psychiatrist

GPs are breaching medical guidelines by prescribing antidepressants for children as young as 11 who cannot get other help for their mental health problems, NHS-funded research reveals.

Official guidance says that under-18s should only be given the drugs in conjunction with talking therapies and after being assessed by a psychiatrist.