Nationally, antidepressant prescriptions rose by 17 per cent between 2012 and 2016.
Since 2000, antidepressant prescriptions in New Zealand have risen by 150 per cent.
Associate professor of clinical psychology Claire Cartwright from the University of Auckland said there were probably a number of reasons for the increase.
"One of the reasons that the number of prescriptions continues to rise is an increase in long-term prescribing.
"Has there been a decrease in real funding generally?
"It is also possible, as people argue, that people are seeking help more often."
Dr Cartwright said depression was now seen as an illness, which could be good or bad.
"The good side of this is that it decreases blame and increases help-seeking.
"The problematic side is that we use medicines for illness, so it leads to antidepressants which often do not tend to address the cause of the problems.
"Having said that, it is important to note that quite a lot of people report some relief from the use of antidepressants."
Mental health services across the country have reported a surge in demand.
In 2015/16, 40 per cent of patients in the Lakes area aged under 19 had to wait more than three weeks to see non-urgent mental health services.
For 20 to 64-year-olds, this fell to 36 per cent.
The Government announced an extra $224 million of funding for mental health in the budget, but some groups have expressed concern that it is not enough.
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said this actually amounted to a cut as it was a real increase of just 1.2 per cent.
CTU economist Bill Rosenberg said 7 per cent more money was needed just to maintain services.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman announced a further $500,000 for rural mental health services on Wednesday.
"This additional funding will help maintain the momentum and builds on the investment the Government has made in previous years," he said.
Dr Coleman also suggested a new plan to manage mental illness would be announced in the near future.
"Cabinet will soon consider a new mental health strategy, which will take into account the needs of our rural communities."
Lakes DHB had not responded to a request for comment by publication deadline.