Tony Blair's chief spokesman and strategist, Alastair Campbell, is the latest speaker to be announced for Bridport Literary Festival

He will be talking about his new book, Living Better, at BridLit on Thursday, November 5.

A former 'Mind Champion of the Year', Campbell is an ambassador for several mental health charities. In November 2017 he was awarded an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in recognition of his role in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness.

He's now just brought out Living Better, described as an 'honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression'.

It is an autobiographical, psychological and psychiatric study, which explores his childhood, family and other relationships, and examines the impact of his professional and political life on himself and those around him.

It also lays bare his relentless quest to understand depression, not just through his own life but through different treatments.

This is a book filled with pain but also hope - he examines how his successes have been in part because of rather than despite his mental health problems - and love.

His partner of 40 years, Fiona Millar, writes a moving afterword on how she too has learned to live with his depression.

Depression is the predominant mental health problem worldwide - it is estimated that one in six people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem and major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide.

Alastair Campbell will be in conversation with Susannah Simons on Thursday, November 5 at the Electric Palace at 6.30pm.

Check out bridlit.com for the full line-up and more information. Tickets can also be booked through Bridport Tourist Information Centre on 01308 424901.