Last Christmas I almost killed myself. Almost. I've had a lot of almosts.

Never gone from almost to deed. Don't think I ever will. But it was a bad almost.

Bad. BETTER TO LIVE is Alastair Campbell's autobiographical, psychological and psychiatric study of his lifelong struggle with depression. He explores the childhood events and family relationships that have gone on to echo through his political career and private life.

Every bit as direct and driven, clever and candid as he is, his quest to get to the bottom of his depression and its treatment animates an inspiring and uplifting book that really could save lives. We all know someone with depression. There is barely a family untouched by it.

We may be talking about it more than we did, back in the era of 'boys don't cry' - they did you know - and when a brave face or a stiff upper lip or a best foot forward was seen as the only way to go. But we still don't talk about it enough. There is still stigma, and shame, and taboo.

There is still the feeling that admitting to being sad or anxious makes us weak. It took me years, decades even to get to this point, but I passionately believe that the reverse is true and that speaking honestly about our feelings and experiences (whether as a depressive or as the friend or relative of a depressive) is the first and best step on the road to recovery. So that is what I have tried to do here.