Washington (H24N). Tipper Gore, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore, has been an active spokeswoman for mental health, and last night on the CBS season premiere of "60 Minutes II," in an interview with Mike Wallace, both she and Wallace shared their personal stories of dealing with mental illness, particularly depression.

Tipper Gore, while her husband has served as vice president, has made mental health her keynote issue. She promises if he is elected president that she as First Lady will make mental health her central issue.

In the interview Tipper Gore candidly discussed her personal struggle with depression. She discussed her realization of her own depression in 1989, symptoms and treatment. Wallace, a journalist whose career spans more than half a century, has openly discussed his depression. In a documentary directed by his son, Wallace discussed the severe bouts of depression that have plagued him for decades.

Depression, a subject its sufferers often used to keep secret, has become more widely acknowledged, diagnosed and successfully treated in recent years. The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association estimates that more than 17.4 million Americans suffer from depression. Clinical depression, the type Tipper Gore experienced, can generally be treated with a combination of certain drugs and counseling.

Tipper, with her husband, May 31 introduced a mental illness initiative to his campaign that would "help remove the stigma of mental illness and ensure that people coping with mental illnesses receive the same care as those suffering physical illnesses." Central to the plan is an initiative she holds especially dear, the right for all children to have access to mental health care. The plan also aims to further educate the public about mental health and assist in the proper diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.

In addition to the plan, Tipper Gore also headed the first White House Conference on Mental Health in 1999, and in 1990, before her husband became vice president, she created the Tennessee Voices for Children. That organization helps develop services for Tennessee children who suffer from various mental illnesses.

In last night’s interview on "60 Minutes II," Gore vowed to continue the fight regardless of the outcome of the election.

"It’s a lifelong commitment, no matter where I find myself in the future."

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