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.”
