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Can people with mental health problems work? You can't see mental illness.

That person with the mental health problem isn't that weird bloke who smells funny and walks down the street talking to himself, they are me and you.

And chances are, you've probably walked past 10 more people who are suffering with mental health problems.
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Depression is the single most common problem patients come to the surgery suffering from, hence why I have a box of tissues strategically placed next to the patient.

The moment you take that time to listen, is the moment a person starts to open up. Often it's such a relief to them, they often become overcome with the emotion that they've been holding back.

But it's getting to that point where a person is ready to confront those feelings, the angst, that cloud. And the stigma that
society puts on sufferers makes it even more of an impossible choice.

Mental health problems can affect the strongest of characters, One Show guest Alistair Campbell suffered a breakdown after months of intensive stress at work, too much alcohol and myriad other complex issues. Watch him talk about it on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Headroom.

What makes me most upset is that society is so narrow-minded that people would rather admit to having back pain or any other physical ailment rather than admit to suffering from some kind of depression.

Even if you find the strength to admit it to yourself, your family and your friends, you've still got to deal with work. Or is it better not to?
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In Sue Smith's case telling her work colleagues that she was suffering from depression signalled the loss of her job. Her story was so moving, she nearly had me and the crew filming, in tears.

Sue was first diagnosed with cancer which sent her into reactive depression, while her colleagues were initially supportive of her fight against cancer, most of them couldn't deal with her depression and felt more comfortable pretending it didn't exist. Sue did recover but she did lose her job.

Cambridge's local health service is trying to tackle the discrimination of people with mental health problems head on with , which will run nationwide next year.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

What I'd say to employers is don't cut off a whole raft of invaluable employees just because they may be suffering from mental health problems. They have a lot to offer, you're only denying yourself and your business, after all they have a range of skills and experience too.

And really it doesn't have to be that way. Would you tell your boss you're suffering from depression?

If you feel you're suffering from depression and want to talk to someone, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or , or for more information contact .

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