A life lived in a sunlit state of perpetual happiness would be a dull one. It is the ups and downs that make our lives interesting and turn us into the awkward, dissatisfied and intriguing beings we hope we are. But is the high rate of depression that we see today a sign that we have grown to expect too much happiness and can no longer cope with dull and dismal reality? Or are we just better at owning up to our real feelings?

Depression is now the second most common cause of illness after heart disease in Britain but, unlike other parts of Europe, patients here face a long wait for any kind of 'talking' treatment with a counsellor. Yet cognitive behavioural therapy has as high a success rate as prescribing drugs, with the benefit that it avoids the physical side-effects that come from withdrawing from antidepressants.

Eating the right food and taking the right amount of exercise are also effective ways of combating mild to moderate depression, yet few patients ever manage to discuss these options with their GPs. Modern antidepressants such as Seroxat are undoubtedly life-savers for those with severe depression, but GPs themselves admit that such drugs are over-prescribed.

While the Government spends millions of pounds fast-tracking treatment for those with acute illnesses such as heart problems or loss of sight, it has done virtually nothing to tackle the year-long waiting time to see counsellors, therapists and psychiatrists. Mental health has been neglected by the NHS for too long and we are suffering the consequences. Many thousands of people are hooked on powerful medication who could have been better helped by a professional with the time and expertise to examine the cause of their unhappiness.