The anti-depressants grouped as SSRIs, which include the brands Seroxat and Prozac, have been subject to a number of alerts of dangers to users, especially the young. The Department of Health set up a review of SSRIs in May 2003, the terms of reference included "to consider the currently available evidence with regard to behavioural disorders, particularly suicidal behaviour, suicide attempt and suicide and a casual association with SSRIs."

The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. in 2004 issued the following alert: "Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asks manufacturers of all antidepressant drugs to include in their labeling a boxed warning and expanded warning statements that alert health care providers to an increased risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) in children and adolescents being treated with these agents, and additional information about the results of pediatric studies."

In June 2005 the FDA further warned "FDA Public Health Advisory - Suicidality in Adults Being Treated with Antidepressant Medications - Several recent scientific publications suggest the possibility of an increased risk for suicidal behavior in adults who are being treated with antidepressant medications. Even before these reports became available, the FDA began a complete review of all available data to determine whether there is an increased risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking or behavior) in adults being treated with antidepressant medications. It is expected that this review will take a year or longer to complete. In the meantime, FDA is highlighting that:

* Adults being treated with antidepressant medications, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior. Close watching may be especially important early in treatment, or when the dose is changed, either increased or decreased.

* Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressant drugs, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional."

The IRSP believe that the North and West Belfast Health Trust should make this information available to the general public, if these drugs are at the core of the recent huge upsurge in suicides patients have a right to know. The suicide of a family member is difficult enough for loved ones to come to terms with, feelings of guilt and blame are not uncommon in those bereaved, If these type of drugs, SSRIs are suspected by the medical profession of increasing the likelihood of suicide they should be withdrawn from the market and replaced by professional counseling and psychiatric treatment for patients suffering from depression.