England's sole NHS helpline dedicated to aiding individuals coming off antidepressants is set to close after NHS funding was withdrawn.
In March, NHS England advised local health services to provide support for those experiencing difficulties discontinuing these medications.
The Bristol Tranquilliser Project, the only helpline of its kind in England, will cease to operate, leaving no nationwide service, according to its manager.
Local health authorities argue that the project was intended solely for the Bristol area, emphasizing the presence of other existing services.
While the Bristol Tranquilliser Project also assists individuals taking sleeping pills and other prescription medications, half of its work involves individuals grappling with symptoms resulting from tapering their antidepressant dosage.
Jayne Hoyle, the project's manager, explained that when people reach out to her service, they are often "in extreme distress." Many have already consulted their GP and been referred to specialists for testing.
Official guidance for doctors now advises individuals to reduce their medication dosage gradually, but it does not specify the duration of this process.
According to Mrs. Hoyle, many GPs still encourage patients to discontinue the drugs too quickly. Due to a lack of alternative support, volunteers and clients claim that the Bristol Tranquilliser Project ended up serving as a national helpline.
Individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms often feel as though they are "going mad," according to Angela Clayton, who sought help from BTP in 2001.
Stuart Bryan, another recent beneficiary, was unaware of potential withdrawal issues when he attempted to discontinue his antidepressant medication.
Luke Montagu, a member of a cross-party parliamentary group advocating for a national helpline for those experiencing withdrawal from prescription medications, expressed astonishment that such a service did not already exist within the health service.
NHS England had recommended that services be established to support individuals withdrawing from prescription medication, including antidepressants.
However, one of the local health board's justifications for withdrawing funding was that it had identified "other existing services that deliver an equivalent or enhanced level of provision," which reportedly did not encompass support for antidepressant withdrawal.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has reportedly rejected a proposal to fund a national helpline.
A DHSC spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to supporting individuals with their mental health, noting a significant financial investment until 2024 but did not specifically address services for antidepressant withdrawal.