BBC News
By Lucy Ballinger & Alex Jennings
Wales Live
media captionCovid has accelerated anti-depressant use
Antidepressants should not be used as a sticking plaster , a charity has warned, after prescription numbers accelerated during the pandemic.
While use of the drugs has increased, the number of people referred to talking therapies is down, official figures showed.
Mind Cymru said antidepressants could be helpful for short periods but failed to address any long-term issues.
The Welsh Government said it was investing in mental health support.
More than 3.2 million antidepressant items were prescribed by GPs in Wales in the six months after the Covid pandemic started - an increase of 115,660 compared to the previous year.
When is it going to end? The long-term impact of coronavirus on mental health in Wales
One study suggests that around 50% of adults in Wales could be suffering from mental distress
20:26, 7 FEB 2021
Updated
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2021 Purrs-N-Wags Online Auction for Humane Society
PURRS N WAGS ONLINE AUCTION
The Tri County Humane Society has had to cancel their Annual Bloody Mary & Chili Contest this year due to Covid, but that doesn t mean the fun has stopped. You can still help the Humane Society by bidding on some fantastic items in this year s winter auction, which begins at 8am on Friday, January 21st. However, you can go to the auction site now and see all the items that are up for bid, and decide which ones you d like to take home. Tomorrow, you ll be able to place your bids, and anytime you are outbid, you will receive a notification that you need to bid higher if you really want that item. Bid as soon as you can, and bid high, so we can take care of those that can t speak for themselves.
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