Sarah Wollaston: Tory MP says having overcome depression makes her better at her job

A psychiatrist explains why people who have dealt with mental health problems are stronger for it - and better at their jobs

Dr Sarah Wollaston has said patients will think the the NHS is in a 'crisis' (Steve Meddle/ITV/REX)

David Cameron once wrote her a letter congratulating her for her bravery on discussing her mental health issues in Parliament, and now Tory MP Sarah Wollaston has gone one step better.

The GP-turned-Totnes MP has given an interview stating that having had depression makes her better at her job.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Wollaston said: "[I’d] always viewed it as a normal part of my life. I think I was a better doctor after I’d had an episode of depression. I’m probably a better MP for having had an episode of depression."

Wollaston added: "I wouldn’t wish to go back to there but undoubtedly, once you’ve had that experience and come through, it can make your a more reflective person and it certainly made me a more empathic person and it gave me an ability to recognise it in others."

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Dr Paul McLaren, consultant psychiatrist at Priory Hayes Grove, Bromley, tells The Independent that having overcome depression can make you a better elected representative, or better in whatever field you work in.

"I think having had significant mental illness makes us aware of our vulnerability and recognise the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle in terms of managing stress," he says.

"In a role like hers, it ought to make her understand her constituents and some of the difficulties that they face. With these sorts of conditions, depression’s very common, one in five or one in six people will seek help for it at some time in their lives."

With mental health problems now the most common cause for people taking sick leave, McLaren believes that it's important for people to acknowledge them.

"It’s also important to know that it’s treatable – it’s something that people can get better from," he says. "It probably improves our capacity for self-reflection, our awareness, when we learn about our thinking and our beliefs can change as the result of a depressive illness. So I think it makes us more self-questioning, which is probably a good thing if you’re in a position of power or influence."

Is there still too much stigma surrounding mental health issues? "Yes stigma is still a significant problem," McLaren says.

"But we’re much better now at dealing with it as a society. It’s very helpful when senior influential people do come forward and acknowledge that they have had mental illness and been treated for it. That encourages people to get help, and reduces the chances of exacerbating what’s already a very difficult condition to deal with.”

Talking openly about mental health and making sure it's taught in schools are the next vital steps to remove the stigma for good. "I think making young people aware from school that mental illness is a part of life, in just the way that we discuss issues to do with sex and sexually transmitted disease," says McLaren.

"It’s making it part of general education, and people being prepared to speak out and share their stories."