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Former Labour PR boss Alastair Campbell has filmed himself feeling close to suicide for a new TV documentary - in a bid to increase investment in mental health treatment in the UK.

The new BBC film called Alastair Campbell: Depression and Me will feature edited versions of up to 80 video diaries he has kept, some when he is feeling at his lowest ebb.

In one Campbell, 61, looks depressed and tells the camera: “I was just sitting down to dinner and most of the day I had been feeling absolutely fine and within minutes I had this massive plunge. I am close to suicidal feelings. I've gone from up there to down here.”

(Image: BBC)

Showing clips for the first time at the Sheffield Documentary Festival, Campbell said his motives for the documentary were to try to get action from the government and help himself.

“It is a combination of circumstance and desire,” he explained.

“I like talking about it and I feel better for talking about it.

“I've had depression for most of my life, long before I worked in Downing Street. This illness or condition effects millions of us but it is often invisible.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“I have talked about it for decades and be on and off anti depressants for years. I want to understand my depression and find out if modern science has any better ways of treating it.

“I feel there is greater awareness now but the awareness has got to be run alongside an understanding of what we need in terms of service.

“If I go to one more event where a government minister stands up and says 'isnt it great we are talking about this?', I am sick to death of talking about it, we have got to move beyond talking and get to a place where we are doing all the things we need to do.”

The documentary director Peter Gauvain admitted Campbell filmed some of the best footage in the film himself, as he was unwilling to let cameras in when he was feeling really down “beyond a five on his scale”.

“We had to find a way of seeing Alastair's depression for ourselves rather than hearing him talking about it,” Peter admitted.

(Image: Alex Livesey)

A second video clip shows Campbell saying he has cancelled a day of engagements because he can't face leaving his house.

He tells the camera: “I have just cancelled a stack of appointments for the day, because I feel like s***.

"It is just one of those days where I couldnt really face going out, couldnt face the world. I did say to myself 'I must brush my teeth' which I did, then 'I must shave' but I didnt do that. I thought I have done one, I cant do both.

"I would be worried if I wasnt on medication. I dont feel like I am going into one of my long big spirals, I just feel I am not quite right.

“I see a positive in that I will get through it. I am OK here, I like being here.

“I am in a heavy, de-motivated, lathargic moods.”

The documentary also features contributions from Campbell's partner Fiona and his daughter Grace.

In the film, Fiona tells Alastair: “You plunge so quickly in about an hour, and that is on the medication, that really worries me.

“Are you aware you have power over other people and the way they feel at that time?”

Campbell replies: "No. I am aware of my powerlessness over how I feel."