Living Better

Living Better is Alastair Campbell's raw and compelling memoir, charting his lifelong battle with depression. More than just a personal reflection, this book is a thorough exploration of the intricacies of mental health, combining autobiographical insights with psychological and psychiatric analysis. Campbell delves deep into his childhood, examines his family dynamics, and lays bare the ups and downs of his professional and political life, from his time as Tony Blair's spokesman to his current status as a prominent mental health advocate.

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.

With unflinching honesty, Campbell shares the moments of his deepest despair, but also his tireless quest for understanding and recovery. Each chapter weaves personal anecdotes with broader reflections on the nature of depression, offering insights into various treatments and coping mechanisms. In his narrative, Campbell confronts the question of whether his achievements are due to, rather than in spite of, his depression, painting a picture that is both painful and hopeful.

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.

Living Better is not just a memoir; it is an empathetic guide, a call to arms, and a testament to the power of resilience and love. Campbell's candid prose is as direct and driven, clever and candid as the man himself, providing readers with not only a deeper understanding of depression but also the hope and strength to confront it.