InanintenselypersonalandoftensurprisingfilmforBBCTwo,DepressionAndMe,AlastairCampbellexploresifradicalnewtreatmentscanstophisdepression.
　　CampbellisbestknownforhisroleasTonyBlair’sformidableandoftencontentiousspindoctorbut,awayfromthepubliceye,hehasbeendoggedbycripplingboutsofdepressionformostofhislife.Somedays,justgettingoutofbedistoohard.Therapyandanti-depressantmedicationishelpinghimkeephisheadabovewater-butisthatreallythebesthecanhopefor?
　　AlastairCampbellsays:“I’vebeenonantidepressantsforyearsandyearsandnoneofthemcanstopit.Iwanttounderstandmydepressionandfindoutifmodernsciencehasanybetterwaysoftreatingit.I’mhopingthere’ssomethingouttherethatcanhelpmeleadahappierlife.
　　“IfeelwearenearingatippingpointinthebattletodemolishthestigmaandtaboosurroundingmentalillnessandTVisaverygoodmediumforbringingtheseissuesrightoutintotheopen.Ihaveneverregrettedbeingopenaboutmyownissuesbutanimportantpartofthisfilmisalsoseeingmydepressionthroughtheeyesofmembersofmyfamily,especiallymypartnerFiona.Iwasalsokeentogetoutthereandfindoutwhatkindofprogresswasbeingmadeonthescientificandresearchfront.Thereisalotgoingon.Myworryisthatwearewinningthebattleforbetterawarenessbutlosingthebattlefortheservicesweneed.
　　"IwasverypleasedwiththereactiontothefilminSheffield[atDoc/Fest].Onefilmalonecannotchangetheworldbutthereisfinallythefocusontheseissuesthatweneedandhopefullyonedaywewillhaveservicestomatch.”