My therapist asked me to write a letter to give to my son in the future, telling him about my experience with depression. As I was writing the letter, I realised that I had a much larger story to tell, a story about depression that could help many people, as well as my son. So, the letter grew into my book,The Happiness Gamble, which was born out of love for my son.

I was tempted to write a memoir, but I’m not famous. So, I decided to create a character using my own experience with depression that fellow depressives could relate to. I created Pete to show fellow depressives there is a way out, but acknowledge that it is a fight. Pete is an ordinary guy trying to deal with office politics as well as repair broken relationships within his family all while battling depression.

When I first started writing The Happiness Gamble, it was very dark, and writing it was beginning to make me feel depressed again. It was then that I decided to try and look back on my experiences differently and realised that many were humorous.

Writing The Happiness Gamble changed the way I relate to my depression and face life’s challenges. I hope that in some way it will help you or someone you love.