A LEADING mental health organisation is attempting to allay the fears of those taking anti-depressants who were alarmed at Kerry Katona's recent TV appearance.

The former singer's appearance on Britain's This Morning sparked controversy after she slurred her words through the interview and kept calling out for her husband Mark Croft. The reality TV star later attributed the worrying appearance to the anti-psychotic drug, chlorpromazine.

Ted Tierney, deputy CEO of Mental Health Ireland, told the Herald: "I'm sure it did cause people distress. Anyone taking medications might be concerned, yes, but we haven't had any complaints or concerns from people."

However, he questioned the decision taken by Kerry's team to allow her on to the programme for the interview.

"That particular situation seemed to have been handled very badly ... Should the lady have been allowed to go on in that state? That's a question that needs to be examined.

Prescribed

"If medication is taken as prescribed and under the guidance of a GP and pharmacist, then there shouldn't be an issue.

"Chlorpromazine is an anti-psychotic drug, it's a strong form of medication.

"If her body wasn't able for the dose she was on, it could have caused slurred speech.

"With any medication that affects the nervous system, we have to be extremely careful with how we take them.

"The interview was in the morning, and maybe she had low-blood sugar, which would cause a problem. If medication is taken at the wrong time, it can cause problems," he urged.

Meanwhile, a Dublin mother, who wishes to be identified only as Linda, has spoken of the positive effects that anti-depressant drugs had for her and her son.

"I'd hate to think of people being alarmed by what happened to Kerry Katona. They [the drugs] do help."

Linda, who has been lobbying the Government for more funding to protect against teenage suicides, says that anti-depressant drugs can serve a function.

Sleepy

"I've been on them, and my son has been on them, and they don't have that effect at all. They might make you sleepy and give you a lull, but that's all."

Linda says her son was cured of depression after he took prescribed courses of anti-depressant drugs.

"My son actually came full-circle. The drugs really helped."

- Geraldine Gittens