EastEnders to air heartbreaking Phil Mitchell plot as legend attempts to take own life
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There's emotional and powerful scenes on the way on EastEnders, as BBC soap legend Phil Mitchell features in a sad mental health storyline. After weeks of speculation about Phil's mental health by viewers and concern from his loved ones, Phil's depression escalates in the coming weeks following the show tackling a loneliness plot. Steve McFadden's character will begin to experience "psychotic symptoms" as his mental health spirals, and sadly he will attempt to take his own life. As Phil attempts to hide his depression from his loved ones, things will intensify to the point where he experiences hallucinations.
As he reaches a crisis point, Phil starts to believe his life is no longer worth living. The soap has confirmed the character will attempt to take his own life, with the soap working closely with a number of charities on the hard-hitting and important storyline.
EastEnders has sought guidance from The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure the storyline and scenes are portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible. It's not been revealed when the scenes will air, but huge episodes for Phil were recently teased by soap boss Chris Clenshaw to The Mirror in December, and it's thought it could be tied into the 40th anniversary build-up.
Chris has now confirmed the storyline, praising actor Steve for his portrayal. He 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.
