commission (and possibly help fund) research studies into the long-term use of antidepressants.

There is a growing mountain of evidence that commonly prescribed antidepressants (currently not classified as addictive) can be difficult, if not impossible, to stop taking. Evidence also points to long-term antidepressant use having serious negative consequences. Most of the existing research on antidepressant use has been focused on short-term use, and many of these studies are funded by the very companies that produce these drugs. Scientists need the support and funding to do in-depth research on long-term antidepressant use, and we believe the government is in the best position to provide the voice we need to make this happen.