Eastenders storyline shines light on male suicide

Photo credit: BBC

Yesterday on EastEnders, the character Phil Mitchell, played by actor Steve McFadden, attempted to take his own life. Sadly his story is not uncommon. Over 570 suicides happened in London in 2023, and three quarters of those were men, with roughly 8 men in the capital per week dying by suicide.

At James’ Place, the suicide prevention charity for men, we see hundreds of men at our London centre every year. Men who have come to see suicide is the only answer to the problems they are facing. Men who have suffered bereavement, relationship breakdowns and financial problems. Men who have had trauma in their childhood that they have never spoken about. Men who are feeling lonely, but find it difficult to reach out for help or to tell people what’s going on for them.

We offer free, life-saving, therapy for men who are experiencing intense and distressing and repetitive suicidal thoughts, and have made a plan to end their life or may have already made an attempt. Men can refer themselves or can be referred to us through a friend or family member over a health professional. They will receive an appointment, usually within 48 hours, to come to our warm and welcoming centre near Old Street and talk about what is going on for them. If James’ Place seems to be the right place for them they will be offered six to eight sessions with a trained professional therapist over a period of about a month. This brief intervention aims to help the man break down what is causing his suicidal crisis and how he can get out of it. We have now helped over 950 men in London to date.

We recently helped Damien, a man from East London in his 40s, who experienced a suicidal crisis after experiencing bereavement and losing his job. He said “Talking about everything that’s happened to me for the first time has helped me so much. Since leaving James’ Place I don’t feel so isolated, and I feel more in control. If I start to have bad thoughts or bad days I know I can change my mood by getting up and doing something, and I know James’ Place is there if I need help again. Thanks to them I am still here to raise my two beautiful, brilliant boys – I realise I am doing something right every time I look at them. I want to show them that it’s better to talk about things rather than covering it up, as that’s where my trouble started.”

We hope that the Eastenders storyline will help encourage men who are thinking of suicide to reach out for help.  We know it can seem overwhelming for men in crisis to tell someone what is going on, but many people have felt the same way, and have overcome those feelings with the right help.

In Phil’s case there are some signs he is struggling, he’s settling his business affairs, he won’t let people in, and is spending too much time on his own. His behaviour is erratic and out of character. However often there may not be signs that someone is thinking of taking their own life.

If you are worried about someone else in your life don’t be afraid to ask them – are you suicidal? Have you made a plan to end your life? Be ready to signpost them to further help. Please be assured that talking to someone about suicide won’t put the thought into their head or make them feel worse. We know that having that conversation with someone can be the first step to getting them the help they need.

For more information about our work or to refer yourself or someone else  please visit jamesplace.org.uk

If you need immediate help you can call 111 for a mental health crisis and select the mental health option (option 2) or click here.

You can also contact Samaritans on 116 123, text SHOUT 852258, or find your closest NHS A&E service here.

Dan Bracken, Head of Centre, James’ Place London