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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 29 and under >> Interview 15 >> Gets angry with people who complain about relatively minor problems with their families because of the physical abuse she suffered.

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.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> She felt so bad and so cut off from everyone in her family that she felt she was inside a very thick balloon, and contemplated suicide.

Has managed to find joy in life through approaches including medication (currently venlafaxine 150mg & chlorpromazine 25mg), counselling, partner support, Christianity and voluntary work (which led to rewarding employment).

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 10 >> When depressed he thought that his friends and family didn't like him, but therapy helped him to see the distortion of this thinking.

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 37 >> Family therapy helped her family to communicate better, as well helping her to accept that she loved but did not like her family.

Is currently feeling well after a recent rough patch. Helpful approaches have included talking therapies, Prozac (20mg/day), living in a sunnier climate, and exercise.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 23 >> Felt sexual feelings and love for another boy at school in the 60s, but was quite shocked by it, and did not want to be seen as homosexual.

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.