Recession depression on the rise

Pharmac's Peter Moodie was unable to explain why Canterbury 'always' had the most antidepressant prescriptions. Photo / Supplied

A record 1.2 million New Zealanders were prescribed antidepressants last year - and the recession is getting the blame.

Figures from drug funding agency Pharmac show the number of prescriptions written each year jumped from 700,000 in June 2002 to more than 1.2 million in 2008.

Canterbury is the most depressed region in the country, with 191,000 people prescribed medication for depression in 2007, the latest year for which a breakdown by district health board is available.

Waitemata follows with 116,000 people and Auckland with 105,000.

Auckland psychiatrist Dr Craig Immelman is among experts suggesting money worries are behind the increase.

"In the Western world we are a lot more focused on money and general consumerism, so when you boil it down, during a recession we see people are susceptible to feeling anxious when our money stream is cut."

Immelman said when people were made redundant, couldn't afford to take stress-relieving holidays or struggled with mounting household bills, many were pushed over the edge.

"When people can't buy the 52-inch plasma TVs, or live as they used to, it can get people down. In a bad economic climate people do get more depressed."

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said Canterbury "always" had the most prescriptions, but was at a loss to explain why.

Bryon Cope, of the Depression Support Network in Christchurch, was also mystified but said more people had asked for help in the past few months.

"The reasons people come in vary, but the most common theme is money and job security. There are people who have lost their jobs and people who are worried about losing their jobs.

"The recession has absolutely made an impact on the number of people coming to see us, and I feel we might see even more over the next three or four months, unfortunately."

High-profile Cantabrians were quick to defend the region, with Christchurch-born TV presenter Jason Gunn describing it as the "region of opportunity".

"As I sit here in my office I see mountains, and if I swing my chair around I can see the beach," he said.

"I think we used to suffer from small city syndrome but I think that's passed now. We have everything here.

"I mean, I get to fly to Auckland all the time, but then I choose to fly home."

Ashburton-born More FM presenter and Stars in Their Eyes host Simon Barnett was "dumbfounded" by the results.

"I just can't imagine why anyone would be depressed living in Canterbury. It's probably more indicative as a sign of the times rather than being a geographical reason. I've got to say, it really surprises me."

Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements said there were "definitely" more people worried about the recession and the effects it would have on their lives.

"GPs have also noted more people coming in to talk about depression."

* Reasons to be cheerful about living in Canterbury

1 Some of the best summer weather in the country, averaging 17C and reaching well into the 20s

2 The Ellerslie International Flower Show, newly relocated from Auckland

3 Stunning scenery from the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps

4 Rugby nirvana with Canterbury and the Crusaders no strangers to trophies

5 The relaxing, natural hot pools at Hanmer Springs

6 Top skifields within an hour's drive

7 Punting on the Avon through the Botanic Gardens