BBC EastEnders legend attempts to take his own life in new harrowing storyline

EastEnders chiefs have confirmed that they are developing a mental health storyline which will depict Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) contemplating taking his own life while suffering from depression with psychotic symptoms.

In recent months, Phil has become increasingly isolated from his family and friends following Sharon Mitchell's (Letitia Dean) new relationship with his cousin Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), the collapse of his marriage to Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), and Ben Mitchell's (Max Bowden) imprisonment in America. BBC viewers will witness Phil's mental health deteriorate as he tries to conceal his depression from those closest to him.

The plot will track Phil, and those most intimate to him, as his depression deepens and his psychotic symptoms escalate, leading to hallucinations at the crisis point where he begins to feel his life is not worth living.

EastEnders is collaborating closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil's story is depicted as accurately and sensitively as possible.

Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw stated: "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.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

Lorna Fraser, who heads up the Samaritans' Media Advice Service, commended the EastEnders team, stating: "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."

She went on to highlight the unique role of soap operas in presenting sensitive topics, saying: "The nature of a soap makes it possible to present sensitive topics in uniquely engaging ways through characters audiences can relate to."

Fraser also emphasised the importance of encouraging men to express their feelings, adding: "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