Voices in the dark

A month ago, in the Observer Magazine, Harriet Lane relived the devastating postnatal depression she suffered after the births of her children. Since then, she's been inundated with letters from mothers who also lived through the nightmare of PND. Here, she describes the reaction to her article, and we print a selection of your candid and moving responses.

Lost into post-natal depression

She had a supportive family and a loving husband, a contented baby and good childcare. So why did all the joy drain from Harriet Lane's life? Here, in a deeply personal and shattering memoir, she relives the dark months she lost to post-natal depression ...

How can I beat post-natal depression?

A mother who experienced terrible depression after the birth of her first child is now hoping for a second. How can she escape the misery of PND? Our panel of experts offer advice.

The dark side

Jane Wenham-Jones understands depression only too well, but that doesn't stop her resenting the fact that it takes people away from her.

An imperfect 10

The repeated exposure to glamorous women on the media has led to a huge rise in depression and eating disorders. Oliver James calls for change.

Healing verses

After a bout of depression, Sarah Wheeler found inspiration in a poem by Ben Okri. Now she's helping others cope through poetry. Katharine Quarmby meets her.

Ask Emma

Natural health therapist Emma Mitchell answers your questions.