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.”
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