It is a luxury one cannot afford to slide into'.
A cynic is defined as 'a morose, sarcastic, sneering person'. It originates from one of a rigid sect of Greek philosophers founded at Athens.

If Coun Simpson really 'feels' he falls into that category, I reckon he has issues that need dealing with before he 'slides' into depression without realising what is happening.

I recommend a good psychotherapist, who could not only deal with what is going on in his unconscious but could also share with him what real depression is about. He must consider himself very fortunate he has not experienced real depression which is a genuine illness from which many people suffer, and who would not choose to suffer from.

Depression often comes from very early childhood and parenting experiences, and can also be fanned by the environmental conditions of the work situation, and the relationships between employer and employee.

I have people who come to see me on a regular basis whose genuine sadness and frustration with depression is stimulated not only by the illness itself, but also by people, sometimes employers and people in positions of authority, who refuse to be distracted by the possibility depression is a genuine illness.

People with depression are often dealing with others who have no idea about the roots of and reasons for the illness.
If there are people working for East Lindsey District Council who are genuinely suffering from depression, it would be a very good idea, as Coun Jim Swanson has suggested, to employ an external consultant, a psychotherapist perhaps, who could help others to improve the quality of their lives, and as a result, enrich their working lives as well.

It is no good saying to people with genuine depression, 'Pull yourself together'. They are not sets of curtains. They need real help and they also need the friendship and compassion of those with whom they share their daily lives.
David Redrobe
Warren Road
North Somercotes