Blondel is 21. She's experienced depression for years and she also has OCD. When she was growing up, she had a very difficult home situation and at 12 she lost her baby brother. Blondel has gotten help from counselling and she also has a close family network around her. She has a little daughter who she says 'is my reason to living, to going on'. Blondel enjoys writing, music and spending time with her family. (White British).

Cat was diagnosed with depression when she was 14, as a result of severe physical and mental bullying in school. During her teenage years Cat attempted suicide several times and was finally referred for counselling which helped her. When Cat was 19, her drink was spiked in a nightclub. This incident has left Cat with both mental and physical effects she still battles with daily. After years of struggle with the NHS, she's decided in the end to go privately for counselling and appropriate support

Dan is 22 and a fulltime PhD student. Dan moved from Australia to study in the UK a few months prior to the interview. He'd experienced depression before coming over to the UK but the big life change of leaving his whole life behind and moving over alone made things harder for Dan. He's gotten help from a combination of counselling from his university and antidepressants. Also reading, doing exercise and keeping himself busy have helped Dan to keep going. He feels much better now and says

Beth is 21 and works as a shop manager. She experienced depression and panic attacks on and off during her college years and a while after. Beth was studying for a degree at university but realised it wasn't right for her and not making her happy and decided to get a job instead. Counselling, a supportive partner and family, but especially doing regular sport, have been the biggest things in helping Beth get better. Beth says if she'd get depressed again she'd know now how to 'beat it better' bu

Sarah is 17 and works as a sales assistant. Sarah says her problems started when she was badly bullied in comprehensive school, although she's struggled with low self esteem ever since she can remember. Sarah's gotten a lot of help from young adults group counselling service and psychotherapy and says that since, she's been much more able to cope with life and its lows. Sarah also enjoys doing art, travelling and getting out and about. (White British).

Tasha is 18 and studying childcare at college. She's experienced low moods and depression on and off since primary school. Tasha got a depression diagnosis a few months prior to the interview and is now also on antidepressive medication. Counselling was not particularly helpful to her as she says there wasn't anything special to process through; she just hopes to 'fix the chemical imbalance' in her brain. Tasha wants to work with children in the future and she also enjoys doing fine arts. (White

Tina is 24 and has experienced severe bouts of depression and suicidal urges since she was very young. She grew up with an abusive dad and had to leave home when she was 18. Tina had a very caring GP who 'went on a limb' to help her and referred her to long term counselling. Also hospital treatment and an antidepressant helped her towards recovery.

Suzanna is 26 and studies foreign languages at university. She's experienced an eating disorder and depression since about the age of 16. For Suzanna, having an excellent psychotherapist and psychiatrist, finding the right medication and keeping active have helped her to now be stable and be able to look forward to the future. (White British)

Jack is 17 and a fulltime student. He's experienced low moods and depression for about four years, starting with problems in the family and when his parents were splitting up. Jack says he's always been very over-analytical and worries about a lot of things. Jack's also experienced anxieties and panic attacks and is now a bit agoraphobic. For Jack, talking to his counsellor, going for walks outside in nature and playing computer games have been the best ways of helping him t

Lisa is 19. She says her problems started in school where she was bullied because of her learning difficulties. Lisa also had an ear operation which left her partially deaf and generally made things worse for her. Lisa says finding a good psychiatrist who she can connect with, having a great support worker, listening to music and spending time with her dog have been the biggest help for her. (White British / Welsh).