Amy Mitchell from EastEnders will take part in a traumatic storyline the following week as the adolescent battles self-harm.
The ability of EastEnders to handle the most difficult storylines, including those that center on mental health, has received praise over the years. After breaking up with her boyfriend Denzel Danes, viewers will see Amy Mitchell (played by Ellie Dadd) harming herself in her bedroom in the upcoming weeks (Jaden Ladega). After a rumor about her starts to circulate at school, Amy’s mental state quickly deteriorates, with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) walking in on her.
Amy has been experiencing mental difficulties lately as a result of the increasing demands of school and her friendships, which have made her feel alone.
The teen’s situation is about to get worse as she struggles with her father over their new relationship, which soon collapses when a damaging rumor about them spreads throughout the school.
Amy’s mental health continues to deteriorate as she struggles to cope, and it soon becomes clear that she has been self-harming.
Sam is seen assisting the youngster with cleaning up after himself and applying a plaster in scenes that were filmed with the utmost respect for those who have experienced similar things.
As the plot develops, Amy’s mental state and coping mechanisms will have an ongoing impact on her family and close friends.
The plot will focus on how they learn to accept Amy’s self-harm and how to give her the support she requires.
The BBC soap has collaborated with Alumina, Mind, and Samaritans on the plot that addresses young teens’ self-harm.
“It was really important for us to explore a storyline focused on Amy’s mental health challenges – the issues she faces impact so many young people and their families across the UK, so we hope this will help to raise awareness and to start a conversation among viewers,” EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said when asked about the sensitive subject.
Working with organizations like Alumina, Mind, and Samaritans was crucial in ensuring that the story was depicted as sensitively and accurately as possible because we wanted to make sure it was told with the utmost care.
‘Storylines like Amy’s are so important because they can help communicate the emotions felt by the young person and their family when faced with self-harm,’ said Jenny Cavendish, project co-manager at Alumina.
“We appreciate how sensitively this plot has been presented, while also expressing the range of emotions felt by both Amy and those around her.
We think getting help is essential to living a life free of self-harm, as shown on EastEnders, and we hope others will gain from seeing how delicately this is handled by the family.
“At Alumina, we constantly advise young people to reach out to those in their community in order to help them get the support they need.
“When people see mental health problems portrayed sensitively and accurately on screen, it can help to raise awareness and encourage audience members to spot the signs if they or loved ones are experiencing a mental health problem themselves,” according to Alex Bushill, Head of Media and PR at Mind.
“That is why it is wonderful to see EastEnders devote airtime to delving into such a significant subject. With one in six young people experiencing a mental health issue, we are aware of the crisis in young people’s mental health.
“I hope Amy’s story serves as a reminder that self-harm is all too common, that it’s not an attention-seeking behavior, and that every young person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.”
Since her appearance in EastEnders in 2008, Amy has been portrayed by a variety of actresses as the character has aged.
Since 2014, actress Abbie Burke has played the part; most recently, actress Ellie Dadd has filled it.
It all feels like a dream, and I can’t thank everyone at EastEnders enough for giving me this opportunity, the star wrote in an Instagram post when she joined the cast.
And a sincere thanks to @dandbmanagement for assisting in my employment.
- Emmerdale’s Kim Tate loses Home Farm as fans ‘work out’ who Caleb is working for
- Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ sinister truth behind death of Evelyn’s dog
- Emmerdale double pregnancy as fans ‘work out’ another Mackenzie Boyd betrayal
- Emmerdale exit for Mackenzie Boyd after he finally confesses to Charity Dingle
- EastEnders exit for Emma as Lola Pearce’s health declines
- Coronation Street’s Paul Foreman’s world ‘turned upside down’ after MND consultation
