A rise in the use of anti-depressant drugs among children is a concern, the World Health Organization says

Following the FDA's 'black box' warning in 2004, substantial reductions in antidepressant (ATD) use were observed within 2 years in children and adolescents in several countries. 

However, whether these reductions were sustained is not known. A new study just published this week aimed to assess more recent trends in ATD use in youth (0−19 years) for the calendar years 2005/6–2012 using data extracted from regional or national databases of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).

Bachmann CJ, Aagaardb L, Burcuc M, Glaesked G, Kalverdijk LJ, Petersen I, Schuiling-Veningag CCM, Wijlaars L, Zitoc JM, Hoffmann F. Trends and patterns of antidepressant use in children and adolescents from five western countries, 2005–2012. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 26(3): 411–419. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.02.001