Yahoo News Hollyoaks boss explains group self-harm storyline
Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood has spoken fully about the show's self-harm storyline for the first time, warning that things will get worse before they get better for Lily Drinkwell, Yasmine Maalik and Peri Lomax.
The Channel 4 soap is exploring the issue of group self-harm, as confirmed in the closing moments of Tuesday night's E4 first look episode.
Hollyoaks fans know that Lily has been hurting herself in secret for a number of weeks, but a surprise twist has now seen Peri and Yasmine join in after uncovering her dark secret.
The teen trio made a devastating pact after self-harming together in Lily's bedroom in the show's latest episode, all agreeing that their families couldn't find out what they were doing.
Speaking at a Hollyoaks press event, Bryan revealed: "We take our responsibility to our young audience very seriously. It's such a collaborative process on Hollyoaks.
"Anna Clements, who's been a writer on the show from the start, pitched a story about group self-harming at one of our long-term conferences.
"It was an issue that some of us had never heard of before, but we did our research and we learned that this toxic development among young people was on the rise – although it wasn't being spoken about.
"One crucial fact I was told was that people often want to present an image of perfection in an age of social media, so despite the fact that mental health issues among young people are reaching epidemic proportions, people are talking about it less.
"So we wanted to tackle the story and raise awareness. People can be really cynical about millennials having everything at their fingertips, but I think there is such a pressure on young people now and that's why some of them are turning to self-harm."
Discussing what the future holds for the three characters, he added: "They get worse before they get better, as is the way in soap. I watched some upcoming episodes the other day where I was bawling in the edit because the performances were so powerful."
Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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