Bullied as a child and struggling to control her weight and anxiety, Stephanie Lovatt felt so low that she contemplated suicide. Now aged 28, she's getting her life back on track thanks to a diagnosis of depression – and a very special friend, writes Liz Rowley

WE ALL feel down from time to time, but depression is something completely different. Although treatable, it's a condition that affects one in five people in Britain, bringing with it thoughts of sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy and, in severe cases, suicide.

Stephanie Lovatt was diagnosed with depression at the age of 18 after trying to take her own life with an overdose.

Ten years on, the 28-year-old self-employed nail technician is looking to a much brighter future thanks to Mind's befriending service.

"I was diagnosed with depression when I was 18, but I think I may have been suffering with it long before that," says Stephanie, who lives with her parents in Primrose Grove, Newcastle.

"I was bullied from the age of four but didn't tell anyone about it until I was 14, so looking back I had all those years of hidden emotion building up inside.

"I was picked on because of my curly hair and my weight, and this gradually wore away at my confidence causing me to become very nervous and anxious."

Although Stephanie moved from her home in Newcastle to a new life in Derbyshire, school bullies continued to make her life miserable as her weight soared to 26 stone. Unable to take any more, she decided to attempt suicide when her feelings hit an all-time low.

"The only reason I was diagnosed with depression was because I tried to take an overdose when I was 18," she explains.

"Luckily I'd only taken a few pills, but the thought was there and I knew things must have been pretty bad for me to be thinking like that."

Currently taking the antidepressant Peroxatine, Stephanie is gradually getting her life back on track with her confidence growing more each day. A large part of her dramatic turn around however, is thanks to the help she's received from Mind's befriending service over the last 12 months.

Set up to help the people of North Staffordshire with a mental health need, the befriending service uses trained volunteers to steer them in the right direction.

For Stephanie it was Hannah Crozier, a 20-year-old journalism student at Staffordshire University, who was able to offer a friendly face when she most needed it.

"I moved back to Newcastle with my family over 12 months ago, and although I'd been feeling better, my depression began to kick in again," says Stephanie.

"It got to the stage where I didn't even want to go out of the house on my own because I was worried about people's opinions, and I began to suffer from regular panic attacks."

Getting in touch with her local Mind group was one of the most positive steps Stephanie took on her journey to a better, healthier life.

"I've always had problems with anxiety so I was nervous about meeting Hannah for the first time, but I'm so glad I did.

"I was feeling so lonely and through Hannah I've been able to build my confidence and make steps towards becoming the person I want to be."

In fact, Hannah has helped so much that Stephanie has since completed a college course to become a qualified nail technician and dropped her weight to 18 stone, after summoning up the courage to join Slimming World and her local gym.

"I knew I wanted to lose weight but I didn't have the confidence to join a club until I met Hannah," she says.

"And now I go on my own, which is something I could never have envisaged doing 12 months ago."

Mind's befriending service works on a six to 12-month basis, offering people the chance to improve their life by building confidence and self-esteem through friendship. For Stephanie, meeting Hannah has completely turned her world around.

She said: "Although I'm feeling better I still class myself as someone who suffers from depression, but I wanted to be able to help myself and now I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is so much to live for in life. Now I'm hoping to become a volunteer myself so I can help others like Hannah has helped me."

Hannah said: "I can't believe how much Stephanie has changed. She's a lot happier now than she was before, and has come out of herself a lot.

"Sometimes people just need someone to talk to, and it makes me feel good to know I've been able to help."

For further information about the befriending service or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Janette Heesom, on 01782 262100, or email communitysupportservices@nsmind.org.uk