The metal lithium could be added to drinking water to help cut suicide rates and improve the public mood, according to psychiatrists.
The metal has long formed the basis of psychiatric treatments for bipolar disorder – but is also found in low levels in some drinking water.
Now a study in Scotland is to seek to establish whether people with low levels of lithium in their water are especially prone to taking their own lives.
Studies in Japan and Texas have already suggested this may be the case.
Dr Daniel Smith, of Glasgow University, said it was possible humans could suffer from lithium-deficiency.
He said: "Previous studies have not always taken different variables such as poverty and unemployment into account when making this comparison. In Scotland, we have ideal conditions in which to carry out this research.
"A single organisation, Scottish Water is able to measure levels of lithium by postcode and we can make use of the excellent routine data which is available from sources such as the Scottish Health Survey and from the Information Services Division of NHS Scotland."
Professor Allan Young, of King’s College, London, revealed the plans at a Royal College of Psychiatrists’ conference in London.
He said lithium reduced "impulsivity" as well as depression.
He said: "We are now embarking on urgent research to establish the impact of taking low levels on lithium as medication, as well as adding lithium to the water supply in much the same way as fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay."
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