You were there for me when I hit rock bottom

DEAR DEIDRE: Following years of severe depression, I reached rock bottom and attempted suicide.

I had grown up with a violent, alcoholic father in a very abusive environment and I’d spent years self-harming and feeling like a failure.

At 39, I believed everyone would be better off without me, even my 40-year-old partner and teenage children.

You were there for me. You sent me your Depression and Raising Self- esteem support packs and recommended I contact the Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58, thecalmzone.net).

You also suggested I get in touch with the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (nacoa.org.uk, 0800 358 3456).

Best of all, you followed up with me to see how I was doing, so I felt that you genuinely cared about me.

I’ve been receiving psychiatric care, am on medication and am finally starting to look to the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Although I reached the lowest point of my life, it turned out to be the best thing, as I finally got the help I needed.

DEIDRE SAYS: I’m happy you’re trying to let go of the past and face the future with optimism.

I hope that things will continue to improve for you.