Corrie has its fair share of moments.
As of late, there’s been lying, cheating, faking deaths… and that’s just in the last two episodes, probably.
Recently, however, Coronation Street has been tackling an issue that is often left unspoken and ignored due to its taboo status – male mental health.
Last week, the soap depicted Shayne Ward’s character, Aidan, die by suicide after he was shown sitting surrounded by people in the Rovers Return.
Aidan left to go home and was last seen breaking down alone.
Since then, Aidan’s friends and family have been dealing with their loss and tonight, teenager Summer Spellman did a little something to try and help in whatever way she could.
Having being placed on work experience in Underworld where Aidan used to manage, Summer told Carla and Jenny that she wanted to start a mental health initiative to try and get men to talk about how they’re feeling.
She also said she wanted it to be in aid of Aidan.
She said:
“We wanted to do it in Aidan’s name. It’s just to get them talking so if they do have a problem it doesn’t seem as big a deal to talk about it.
“We even thought we could put numbers at the bottom of receipts and businesses.”
Carla, understandably, was totally up for the idea. She said: “If this helpline saves at least one life maybe Aidan’s death won’t be for nothing.”
- Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone on 116 123. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.orgor visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.
- On March 23 CALM, Campaign Against Living Miserably launched a petition calling for ministerial responsibility of suicide prevention and bereavement support. Sign the petition here: http://bit.ly/SuicidePetition2018
