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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Explains that while some staff do care and you can feel safe in NHS hospitals, staff can appear disengaged. (Played by an actor)

With the ongoing care of her GP and ongoing counselling with a skilled practitioner, she has been in recovery since early 2003. Not currently on medication.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> GP rings up to encourage her to make and attend a GP appointment when she is depressed, as well as to come at the beginning of any depression crisis.

With the ongoing care of her GP and ongoing counselling with a skilled practitioner, she has been in recovery since early 2003. Not currently on medication.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 18 >> Describes how she feels uncomfortable with the caring attention from her GP and so forgets things. (Played by an actor)

Became depressed while looking after a friend with depression. Believes Seroxat contributed to her suicide attempt. With counselling and new medication (venlafaxine 150mg/day) she is getting better.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 13 >> He feels that hospital staff need to be more engaging and nurturing of depressed patients who feel negative about themselves.

Has only recent seen himself as getting better, being helped by therapy (eg. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt), a clairvoyant therapist/doctor, the learning of meditation techniques, and medication (Effexor 75mg, Lithium (400mg/day).

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> Did not like the NHS hospital she went into when she could not get into a private hospital.

Hospitalised, but experienced poor service in the NHS. Helpful approaches included the contraceptive pill (acts as a mood stabiliser for her), good GP support, private hospitalisation, and HomeStart help in the home.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> Says that while some nurses did care in her NHS hospital, there was more care that felt genuine and available in the private system.

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 65+ >> Interview 01 >> Describes a suicide attempt where he was not met by empathy by hospital staff.

Treatments have included ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), hospitalisation, talking therapies, lithium and medication. He was on a preventative, low dose of Zoloft (sertraline 100mg/day) due to his wife's death.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Had a difficult childhood and family life, and lost her grandparents in 1996, which was very traumatic because she depended so much on her grandmother

With the ongoing care of her GP and ongoing counselling with a skilled practitioner, she has been in recovery since early 2003. Not currently on medication.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 04 >> Describes a GP who demonstrated caring and confidentiality, as well as acknowledging what it might be like to be a depressed teenager. (Played by an a

Has responded very well to Prozac (20mg/day) and cognitive behavioural therapy.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Says he appreciates how his GP provided him with his direct number for use in an emergency. (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 40-54 >> Interview 16 >> As a Catholic gay male, his Christianity has been a great source of comfort, and he has never been condemned because of his sexuality by any church.

The most helpful approaches for him have included getting rest, counselling, lifestyle changes (involving moving to a better community and living on less money), spirituality and partner support.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 11 >> Depression made her question her priorities. She was glad she left her work in her 30s rather than later.

Hospitalised, but experienced poor service in the NHS. Helpful approaches included the contraceptive pill (acts as a mood stabiliser for her), good GP support, private hospitalisation, and HomeStart help in the home.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 39 >> Her husband missed out on the support she got. Having a break and getting counselling through Relate helped.

Helpful approaches have included hospitalisation, venlafaxine (75mg X 3/day), Fish Oils, individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and relationship counselling, support from local women, joining Depression Alliance, and a gradual return to work to build confidence.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 05 >> Says he appreciates how his GP provided him with his direct number for use in an emergency. (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 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 30-39 >> Interview 26 >> Says that she uses a book by Dorothy Rowe, and she really relates to aspects of the book, while other parts are irrelevant.

Not currently on medication, has found the best approaches to include counselling, self-help books, alternative therapies, and adopting a more authentic lifestyle (including enjoyable voluntary jobs).