Smokers were under even harsher attack than usual last week when the Government's Chief Medical Officer proposed banning smoking in public places in order to protect the health of children. Passive smoking is unpleasant and damaging, but, as an occasionally encountered hazard, it ranks pretty low on the scale of health risks. Why so much focus on this one public- health arena when the far greater scourge of depression goes virtually unremarked?

Today, we report the harrowing story of Melanie Cook, who committed suicide last year after a long and futile battle by her family to get her the help she needed. It is a wake-up call to policy-makers. One in six adults will succumb to depression during their lives, with profound consequences for families and friends, making this a condition which affects almost every one of us.

The cost to the economy in sick leave and benefits is incalculable. Yet with new medications and therapeutic treatments, most patients can be helped. The stumbling block has been that GPs and hospitals do not co-operate sufficiently to offer the right care at the right time.

Depression has a far greater impact on society than passive smoking. If we devoted the same passion to eradicating it, hundreds of thousands could be helped to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.