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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 10 >> Dissatisfied with his GP, he wrote to his local Primary Care Trust to get a new GP at a new surgery, and was happy that his new GP treated him with re

Helpful approaches include counselling (which has helped him to address past abuse as well as being gay) removed himself from a bullying workplace; settling debts, swimming and moving away from London.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> Therapy can involve a long and meaningful relationship where you work on highly personal issues, and that requires a trustworthy and skilful therapist

Is now managed by a skilled team in the NHS, which includes long-term therapy. Therapy is addressing her distorted thinking patterns and difficult past. She now understands she can move beyond depression.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 20 >> Says that once you are well and can judge, you need to view your sessions with your potential therapist as a relationship, which needs to have trust,

Her recovery initially came about after hospitalisation including Electroconvulsive Therapy. With supportive long-term therapy and medication (Prozac and lithium) she has been in recovery ever since 1989.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 25 >> Has met a woman friend with depression whom she can trust and talk to about personal issues.

In recent times, has fared better with a new supportive husband, a caring GP and Prozac (20mg/day). She continues to struggle against feeling to blame for things outside of her control.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> It takes time to know if you can trust a therapist and divulge sensitive information, but you can know if you feel comfortable with them on the first

Her main helpful approaches include hospitalisation, various therapies (including art therapy), Citalopram (40mg/day), reduction in work hours, Christian prayer and diary writing.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 36 >> Choose your counsellor/therapist carefully - you need to be able to trust them so you can be honest. (Played by an actor)

Useful approaches include medication, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, therapy, hospitalisation, self-help groups. Currently takes Lithium (600mg/day) and citalopram (Cipramil) 20mg/day.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 24 >> Feels that God has sustained her through depression and not let her suffer too much, despite periods of severe depression.

Helpful approaches have included medication, self-help books and tapes, and personal development courses. Received long term therapy on the NHS. Recently discovered she had dyslexia, explaining many of her difficulties.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Says that depression is less stigmatised nowadays and believes that disclosing your depression to a trusted friend is helpful. (Played by an actor)

Has very good care from his GP. Medication was somewhat effective. He recently stopped taking Lithium and Effexor.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 55-64 >> Interview 31 >> It is sometimes hard to know who your real friends are, but they are probably those who show concern about you when you are depressed or manic.

Avoided medication but found help at a mental health 'drop in' centre. He became better informed and used creativity (e.g. computer art and music) to help his recovery.