Los Angeles, Apr 24 (IANS): Actress Mischa Barton gives credit to her supportive friends for helping her cope with depression. She feels "having people who love you is more important than anything".

The 27-year-old was sectioned for two weeks under the US mental health act in 2009.

"Music is massively important to me because I play a bunch of instruments. I read tons and I write poetry, anything creative is a good outlet," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Barton as saying.

"I've always had a great support network around me. I've been really blessed with a lot of older figures in my life to turn to in a moment of need and that's really important," she said.

"Having people who love you is more important than anything, whether the public is busy loving you or not at that moment. I have stayed relatively strong because I've got those great people," added Barton.

"The Sixth ense" actress believes the worst of her problems are now behind her.

"I think actors are complicated souls. Everybody has different layers and deals with things in different ways. As you get older, things just calm down," she said.