A CONSERVATIVE MSP has said the SNP must stop the increase in prescriptions for anti-depressants.

There has been a 5.5% increase in the number of people given medication for depression in the last year.

Government figures showed 814,181 people were on drug treatment in 2014/15.

Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire and Arran were the highest for depression rates and the study showed a link between deprivation and mental health issues.

Antidepressant treatment increased with deprivation, with 225,969 patients in the poorest parts of Scotland receiving the drugs, compared to 110,507 in the least deprived areas.

Tory Health Spokesman Jackson Carlaw said the SNP pledged to halt the rise.

He said: “Years ago the SNP pledged to stop this rise, yet it hasn’t even been able to make a dent in it.

“We are now looking at the flabbergasting statistic of more than one in seven people in Scotland being prescribed antidepressants this year.”

Jamie Hepburn, Public Health Minister, said more people were prescribed drugs because more people were confident seeking help

He said: "Any prescribing is a clinical decision for a patient's doctor and there is good evidence that GPs assess and treat depression appropriately.

"We have seen more people being prescribed antidepressants as a result of reduction in stigma attached to mental health, and better diagnosis and treatment of depression by GPs.”