I love J.K Rowling. I admire her strength and in many ways, without her and Harry, I would never have made it through my own tough times. Whenever I am feeling low, I pick up a Harry Potter book simply to indulge in an amazing story of loyalty and love. It is inspiring. In many ways, Rowling is my hero.

Donna, Swindon, England

This really shows why Rowling is a great writer. The fact that she can now publicly speak about her suicidal thoughts shows that she has the ability now to cope with and show us a true muse for her brilliant writing.

Patrick, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I am so grateful that she is still here with us today. She gave me something to do when i had nothing else to do. She gave me something entertaining whenever i was alone and depressed. SHE MADE READING FUN.

Jordan, Stockton, CA

Rowling just completely changed my reading habits. i never used to even touch books! but now...all i do is read! and all the credit goes to Jo. she created such awesome characters that i couldn't resist it. and now Harry Potter is like my best friend. i just love those books that she wrote. and the best part is, how all the books show such great value for friendship! Jo is lovely.

Abhinaya, Iowa, India

She is an amazing woman, and my hero. I struggle with depression, and when I feel really bad, Harry Potter always makes me smile. I can't expressive how grateful I am to Jo for all that she does.

Colleen, Houston, TX

i respect u sooo much jo 4 teaching me the lesson of true frndship.u have given me my best frnd(harry).i always try 2 b a brave person like u and harry. u r a truly gud frnd,a brave person, a cring human being.that shows through the hp series.and thnx a lot 4 omproving my writing skills coz ur writing style has influenced mine like nobody else's.

priya, kolkata, india

Jo opened a new world for me, and i will be forever grateful. I thank you, because you taught me a great lesson; that friends can be in books too.

Sami, Martinez, California

You're always the best, no matter what you do.. Thanks for EVERYTHING (especially Harry=P) !!!!!

Nadia C, M. , Italia

I have always loved reading and writing but with J.K Rowling's books, I have always enjoyed writing sooo much more. Shes my Inspiration why im pursuing writing as a Career. Shes amazing and talking about this just shows how strong she really is

Stephen Adler, Hollywood,

Jo Rowling is my role modle. She's the woman that got me to read and to write, something i've always enjoyed. JK Rowling your my hero!!!!

Emma, Washington, US

That is exactly what I was thinking Rhys Jaggar. Many people would think she is seeking attention, but her life, no offense, was terrible. She was struggling and her life was tumbling and she had a little baby to take care of. I am at such utmost respect for her right now to be able to talk about freely and proudly. I could never do that.

J.K. Rowling, bravo to you for being able to speak about it.
.
I have even more respect for than I have ever gathered and that is saying something.

Jaclyn T., Cranston, Rhode Island, US

This woman is my hero!

Kate Legrand, Toms River, US

It was not in a magazine but a newspaper, the Student.

Dom, edinbugrh,

The feeling of get out of depression is wonderful!!!!! I experienced this before

Steven, Manchester,

It is good that a prominent personality has raised the issue of emotional illiteracy of individual doctors.

It is the greatest professional incompetence of GPs not to pick up on signs of serious depression. Particularly in the cases of coherent intelligent human beings.

The rubbish of 'pull yourself together' or the patronising 'they are just seeking attention' are totally unacceptable attitudes in the 21st century.

The sooner more cases of this are highlighted the better.

And it should be a sacking offence to belittle potential suicidal thoughts. Yes, some may be attention seeking, but the majority will not be. Since the majority of those thinking of suicide will simply get on without without seeking help first......

Rhys Jaggar, Leeds, UK

Shock! Writer Sufferred from Depression! It amazes me when the media report on stories along the lines of "He/She felt so low in their life at one point that they even contemplated suicide!" I've spent a third of my adult life contemplating finishing it all - as probably a lot of unsuccessful people have - and a corresponding small fortune on well-researched, private professional 'help' (NHS cbt/psychotherapy waiting can be 18 months), but have yet to find something that is more than a short term palliative. CBT generally only works in fairly easily defined cases of depression/anxiety, and is touted by the government as the wonder-treatment of choice because it's CHEAP. What many need is a more long-term supportive approach, but this doesn't really fit in with a target/results based framework.

Ooh! I've got that off my chest and feel a bit brighter! Thank you Dr Times.

Graeme M, London,

Contemplation is a far cry from action......we all have thoughts good and bad, so what.

sedgwick, London, UK

Thank you, JK Rowling, for being so honest and thank you for Harry Potter. Waiting for the Deathly Hallows helped me a lot to keep up as I am suffering from depression and often contemplated suicide, too, especially in 2007. All the best to you and your family!

Irene K., Oberstaufen, Germany

Ms Rowling was very very lucky. Most depressed people are loaded up with cheap antidepressants or shunted to psychodynamic therapists who are far more interested in the way you were raised than in the problem that has destroyed your life.

Until access to good quality therapy is available for all of those who need it, efforts to reform the Incapacity Benefit System will lead only to a jump in the rates of suicide.

And short courses of CBT do NOT help people who have suffered either a catastrophic traumatic experience or more than one experience of trauma so the therapists being trained will not be able to help a significant proportion of those who need help.

Think again, politicians, and stop scoring cheap political points at the expense of the sick and injured.

MS, London, England

Miss Rowling, will you start a charity for depressives to enable them to have counselling. I know many people who are seriously depressed but do not have the means to pay for counselling.

kt, london,

Check the waiting lists for C.B.T, access to treatment is not as easy as your article implies. There is a national shortage of Psychologists and waiting times of apprx 6 months are not uncommon. Not quite what you need to hear when having suicidal thoughts.

Tess, Harrogate, N. Yorks

So did I when I had depression. As a former Psychiatric nurse I feel it is more common that society realises.

Brave words JK !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

I wonder how many will be driven to the edge by the prospect of being reduced to garbage collectors under David Cameron's welfare reforms? If you're a former professional, ruined by depression/bankruptcy, and the state inflicts a hideously unthinkable humiliation upon you for a YEAR...
A really vile policy. David Cameron wouldn't be drawn on whether his criminalized failures would have to wear uniforms - that was for the private sector to decide. So to Cameron, it's an acceptable state of affairs if we criminalize the unemployed. Not for 300 hours of community service - let's treat them worse than actual criminals. Let's give them a year's community service.
Either the man has no notion of the unthinkable fate he is inflicting on former professionals or he lacks a sense of basic human decency.

Steven, London,

Tim, assuming you're not fishing - a single mother is a mother (female parent) who is single (without a partner).

Julian, Melbourne,

What the 'heck' is a 'single mother '???...

Mr Tim, san marcos, U S of A /Ca

I commend JK Rowling for her honesty and courage to speak about her experience of depression. Her experiences demonstrate how mental health problems are often linked to difficult circumstances and yet, with care and the right treatment, such problems are eminently treatable. By speaking out, she will do much to address the stigma associated with mental illness and show that it is no barrier to success.

Nimira Lalani, Toronto, Canada