In Persevilience: The Word the World Needs Now, Campbell draws on his battles with severe depression and his experiences at the heart of British politics to explore how people can overcome adversity.Campbell, author of more than 20 books, was Tony Blair’s communications chief for nine years, helping Labour win its landslide victories in 1997 and 200, and has also spent nearly two decades campaigning to improve mental health services.An ambassador for charities including Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, he said he had learned that determination alone was not always enough.”I was very resilient,” he told the podcast. “I was tough, was persevering, I would keep going, nothing would stop me. But it wasn’t healthy.”Campbell suffered a psychotic breakdown in 1986 and has battled depression for decades, including during his years working in Downing Street.He revealed he often forced himself through the working day despite feeling desperately unwell, only to collapse on the sofa at home, barely speaking to his partner, journalist Fiona Millar.”Generally I just kind of ploughed through it,” he said.He now takes antidepressants and uses techniques to recognise and manage the pressures building up in his life.