Major increase in anxiety & depression in Antigua

There has been a major increase in cases of major depression and anxiety over the past two years, in Antigua and Barbuda

The information was released by Vivia Pluck, a leading community psychiatric nurse and representative of the Antigua & Barbuda National Association for Mental Health.

Nurse Pluck said the number of serious cases of depression and anxiety she handles alone have increased twelve-fold, over the past two years.

The health official noted that the number one cause of mental health concern affecting the adult – and even the juvenile group – in Antigua and Barbuda is anxiety and depression.

She said they have moved from about seven cases of severe depression or anxiety a year, two years ago, to that same number or more, in a month.

She blamed the economic situation in the country as the leading cause behind the increase in severe depression and anxiety cases.