InanintenselypersonalandoftensurprisingfilmforBBCTwo,DepressionAndMe,AlastairCampbellexploresifradicalnewtreatmentscanstophisdepressionddd
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.”