Happiness. It’s a word we hear bandied around a lot – but what does being happy really mean? It's a poignant question following news of the death of Robin Williams, a man who brought so much happiness to others, but struggled to be happy himself. How can we find happiness in life? And do we know where to find support when we can't?

This week, a film called Hector and The Search for Happiness goes on general release. With Simon Pegg as Hector, pictured, and Toni Collette, it deals with a psychiatrist who finds himself at a crossroads in life and goes on a trip around the world to find out if happiness really exists. Now call me cynical, but if I had the means to give everything up and wander around the world on a whim, I think I might be feeling pretty happy! But then again, it's easy to assume everybody else has the means to be happy, particularly rich and successful film stars who have the gift of making others laugh.

Depression is an illness that is not spoken of enough, despite the fact it affects two in three adults at some point in their lives - find out where to seek help here.

If you just need a bit of a pep-up to put the spring back in your step, you might find the following tips and ideas very useful How to lift your mood – 10 cheer-me-up remedies – 22 secrets of happy people – 10 ways to wake up feeling positive. And take the quiz Are you happy with your life?

But back to the film. Based on a book written by French psychiatrist François Lelord (the film transplants him to London however), it’s directed by British director Peter Chelsom (‘Serendipity’, ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’) and has been described by Digital Spy as part fable, part self-help manual with echoes of ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’. It goes on general release on Friday August 15.

"Carpe Diem. Seize the day." Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams RIP