I have a friend who suffers fromn depression. He has had difficulties with Doctors in the past and is unwilling to go for further advice. He has had difficulties maintaining a job in the past due to depression and also has had difficulties with claiming Job Seekers Allowance. Incapacity Benefit initially appears the best route. However he is 24, 25 in July and will only have been sick from the time he actually gets round to seeing a Doctor (is this the case?). What advice do I give him?

What's your friend doing at the moment? Are they working or signing on or in education or nothing at all!!?

Doing nothing - just staying at home. Not registered with a Dr either.

Obviously he needs to get registered with a GP (if he can) then he needs a sick note and will have to claim IB and IS at the same time so that if he does not satisfy the national insurance contribution conditions for IB he'll get IS instead.

This does all need your friend's co-operation - hopefully he has someone who will help him through each step?

Do you have a mental health charity such as MIND in your area? I know they are very good here in Barrow so they could be worth a try too.