Depressed worker says TV show saved career

Published on Tuesday 8 December 2009 08:52

A LOTHIANS call-centre worker has admitted depression would have forced him to quit his job, had it not been for the help of a new TV show.

Jason Anderson, 32, from Livingston, will be seen on STV tonight in the latest episode of Make Me Happier.

The show follows six Scots as they are given help dealing with emotional health issues, and Mr Anderson admitted it had literally saved his job.

He said: "Looking back, I would've quit my job if I hadn't done the programme. I would have lost a couple of good and very close friends, too. I really feel as though life is worth living now."

Mr Anderson said he had started having problems with stress and depression about ten years ago, and had gone from a happy-go-lucky individual to someone who felt frustrated and angry a lot of the time.

As part of the show he was given help to get out and socialise, being taken along to salsa lessons and even joining a badminton club.

"I was in a vicious cycle – I wasn't sleeping, so I was getting angry and agitated at work," he said.

"I was getting on workmates' nerves and that upset me, and I was so annoyed with myself it kept me awake at night. I was trapped to the point I had thoughts I never want to have again.

"I'm miles better, and feel much happier now – not as stressed, not as angry. I just feel a whole lot better."

&#149 Make Me Happier, presented by Lorraine Kelly and Angus Purden, can be seen on STV at 7:30pm.