I would like to invite some hackers out there to apply the 'hacker approach' of problem solving to the task of helping others that have depression. Please do so out of your own self interest (rather than pity, charity, guilt or social obligation).

At time of writing I only have two people that I go out of my way to 'level the playing field' for. This costs me time and money, real time and real money. For one of my 'clients' I have taken time off work to help them find a proper roof over their head and I covered a few bills to make sure that worked out (things like furniture and food in the cupboards had to be magically paid for). Notionally they are expected to do some work in my sister's allotment when the weather gets better to repay the favour. Obviously I won't hold them to that, this was just a creative device to move things along a bit without there being any feelings of pride getting hurt. Importantly I don't pass on silly advice, e.g. 'you should get a job...' blah, blah.

In this example, why bother??? I could have bought myself toys, or I could have gone on a really exciting city break given the time + money outlay.

Well, to answer that question, yesterday, this mystery 'client' of mine sent me through some jobs that they really wanted to go for. I was hoping that might happen in about 3 months time, no pressure though. But yes, I was delighted that, out of the blue, they should send this stuff through to me. We don't normally talk work, I assumed it was not what they were ready for.

I would describe my approach as fairly hands off, we text/message most days but not all. We do things together about once a week - meals, cinema, gigs, galleries and all those normal things that normal people do as well as just hang out in the reasonably appointed flat.

At the moment I am on a bit of a winning streak with this mystery 'client'. Health has been restored, which to me is quite a miracle, something I did not expect to see. Mystery 'client' also has friends and other social invites out, again quite miraculous given the 'no mates' start.

My 'clients' can be from any walk of life, any age, any gender. I mentor difficult teenagers too, one at a time, with work placement stuff. I am truly stoked with the success I have had on that front, the last two have been no-hopers, total worries to their respective mums. One of them is now at Oxford University, the other at Imperial College. I played a little part in that, helping them become sons their mums are truly proud of. I would say the process was 'osmosis' with no expectation of such stellar results.

Furry animals and elderly neighbours are also on the books from time to time. I am proud of all of them.

Sure I choose carefully, I do not reach out to those with alcohol dependency problems (I have tried though...). However, both of my current 'clients' would possibly be actually homeless without my on-going help.

So, for anyone reading this, please do reach out to others, even if it costs real time and money with no promise of results. Just imagine what the world would be like if everyone able to do so did go the extra mile to help out a couple of others with depression related problems. Imagine how inspiring the world could be.