简介：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.”