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• 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 40-54 >> Interview 23 >> His grandmother died and he became anxious his mother would also die. When his father later died, he tried to become the man of the house at the age o

While avoiding medication, helpful approaches have included counselling, self-help books and alternative therapies (e.g. re-birthing). These approaches have helped reduce negative thinking and anxiety.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 22 >> At university she was dealing with grief from her father's death when she was 3 years old.

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 30-39 >> Interview 09 >> His mother died, he was bullied, was neglected, isolated, lacked social skills, and he was fixated on a woman, hoping he could be rescued.

Since 1995 has undergone a recovery which has involved therapy (systemic consultation) as well as learning social skills, engaging in enjoyable activities, and involvement in self-help groups.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 65+ >> Interview 03 >> Just before he became depressed he lost family members, there were workplace changes, and members of his family moved back home.

He had sympathetic doctors who took the time to listen. With medication, early retirement, his religious convictions, and the gradual resolution of life stressors, his depression lifted.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> The death of a caring friend and the survival of her abusive father undermined her belief in God, but not in the idea that she has earned good karma.

With the help of a caring GP, her counsellor, private hospital treatment, Efexor (150mg/day) and self-help books, she was feeling better and is keen to continue her healing and help others. She has written a book: Saving Samantha: A Young Woman's Escape from Childhood Hell (isbn 1401910300) about her experiences.