EastEnders announce Phil Mitchell news before 40th anniversary - and it's heartbreaking
EastEnders bosses have confirmed they are working on a mental health storyline that will see Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) attempt to take his own life whilst experiencing depression with psychotic symptoms.
Having withdrawn from his family and friends in recent months following Sharon Mitchell's (Letitia Dean) newfound relationship with his cousin Teddy Mitchell ( Roland Manookian), the breakdown of his marriage to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), and Ben Mitchell's (Max Bowden) incarceration in America, BBC viewers will continue to see Phil's mental health decline as he attempts to hide his depression from those around him.
The storyline will follow Phil, and the characters closest to him, as Phil's depression takes hold and his psychotic symptoms intensify, with the character experiencing hallucinations at the crisis point where he starts to believe his life is no longer worth living.
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EastEnders is working closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil’s story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: “Phil's depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time.
Steve's performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realties of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding."
Lorna Fraser, Head of Samaritans' Media Advice Service, said: "The EastEnders team has done a great job capturing the reality of a mental health crisis, and we were delighted to help them tell Phil's story in a safe and responsible way.
"The nature of a soap makes it possible to present sensitive topics in uniquely engaging ways through characters audiences can relate to.
"We know men often struggle to open up and share how they are feeling, so it's good to show the importance of checking in and lending a listening ear in this way."
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am