Wegovy and depression: is there a link?

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Is there a link between Wegovy and depression? See what the latest evidence and studies show.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) have changed how we treat obesity. These drugs help people lose weight by mimicking the effects of natural hormones that influence appetite.

They've been life-changing for many people who previously struggled to lose weight. But like all medications, they can cause side effects – and one area that still raises questions is their impact on mental health.

Recently, concerns have been raised about a possible connection between GLP-1 medications and depression or suicidal thoughts.

Let's explore what the evidence shows.

What do we know so far?

In 2023, three isolated reports from Iceland described people experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm while taking GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or liraglutide. These cases were flagged by Iceland's medicines authority and passed to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as part of routine drug safety monitoring.

While it's understandable that these reports got people worried, they were indicative of a very rare phenomenon. GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have been safely used by millions of people worldwide.

After reviewing the available data, the EMA concluded that no causal link has been found between GLP-1 medications and suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

To explore the issue further, a large real-world study in Sweden and Denmark followed 298,553 adults who started GLP-1 treatment between 2013 and 2021. The study found no increased risk of suicide, self-harm, or new diagnoses of anxiety or depression compared with people taking another type of diabetes medication (SGLT-2 inhibitors).

Does SemaPen monitor mental health?

Yes. At SemaPen, we take your mental health very seriously. We ask every patient to regularly complete a self-assessment questionnaire that tracks their mood, anxiety and overall well-being throughout the programme. This helps us notice if you're struggling so we can check in and adjust your treatment when needed.

If you ever experience suicidal thoughts or severe changes in mood, we will always advise that you pause treatment. You should also seek urgent help from your GP, mental health practitioner or emergency services.

What should I do if I'm feeling low while on treatment?

If you've started Wegovy or Mounjaro and notice symptoms like low mood, anxiety or emotional distress, speak to your clinician. They'll help you work out whether the medication might be playing a role and discuss what adjustments could help. That might mean pausing your treatment or changing your dose.

So, can weight loss injections cause depression?

Right now, there's no firm evidence that GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Mounjaro directly cause depression. Clinical trials have not shown a significant link – and large real-world studies have found no increase in suicide risk. However, everyone's experience is different, and small risks can't be completely ruled out.

That's why we support your whole health here at SemaPen, not just the number on the scale. From physical symptoms to your mood, your well-being matters to us.

If you have a history of depression, let us know before starting treatment. We'll carefully monitor your mental health with self-assessment questionnaires – and there will always be someone on the team you can speak to if you're feeling low.

Looking for weight loss care that sees the full picture? Explore our at-home weight loss programmes to learn more – or take our online consultation to find out which treatment is right for you.

Sources

1. Ueda, P. et al. (2024) "GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Risk of Suicide Death" JAMA Internal Medicine, 184;(11):1301-1312 https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.4369

This article was reviewed and approved by Alice Fletcher, Lead Bariatric Dietitian, on 7 July 2025.

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