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• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> Argues that people in distress may have more help available to them than they think. (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 40-54 >> Interview 16 >> Was bashed because he was gay, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The diagnosis helped him to feel that it was not his fault.

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 40-54 >> Interview 39 >> While she constantly thinks about depression, she can now see she has bad days, but they do not mean depression is coming back.

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 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> She loved her work and was a perfectionist, but after redundancies at work she was doing additional work and then she became depressed.

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 40-54 >> Interview 27 >> She was not getting the help she needed to do her work, her director had been bullying her, but the company supported her.

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 40-54 >> Interview 19 >> Became aware that she was having a 'breakdown' on the bus on the way home from work, so called her husband to come and pick her up.

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 17 >> Finds it difficult to describe how he felt before his depression was diagnosed.

Current medication includes Seroxat, Zyperxa (olanzapine), Lamactil (lamatrigine). Is grappling with building friendships and what he wants to do in life. He has found one kinesiologist in particular to be very helpful.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 30-39 >> Interview 33 >> Severe depression is more serious than physical illness because the mind is ill, and because depression can be invisible, it is hard for people to sup

Has not used medication and is not happy with his GP. Nevertheless, he has accessed talking therapies which have helped somewhat. He also moved away from his family.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 32 >> Found she couldn't cope with a situation at work, broke down in tears and went home sick.

Feels her GP is excellent, but decided against medication. She has gained confidence over the years, and has benefited from NHS counselling, but is having trouble accessing further counselling.

• Mental health >> Depression >> Age 40-54 >> Interview 23 >> Had agoraphobia, heard how to desensitise himself, and so gradually walked further and further away from his comfort zones, which helped, but did not

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 30-39 >> Interview 08 >> When she left work due to work pressure, her GP arranged for a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) to visit, but she feels the CPN didn't understand how

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.