Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, has revealed she has been receiving treatment for a nervous breakdown and depression. The story has gone to all of the papers and the Manchester Evening News runs a particularly good version of it here.Beverley was absent from Corrie for five months last year. Viewers were told Liz had jetted to Spain to stay with her son Andy. But her disappearance from the show was today revealed to be as a result of a “serious breakdown” for which she received treatment in the Priory Clinic, ITV confirms.
The actress, who is still being treated as an outpatient and is said to be “well on the road to recovery”, has teamed up with mental health charity Mind to raise awareness of mental health issues and depression. She said: “I have been speaking to the mental health charity Mind about lending my support to the work they do - I feel it is really important to try and help lift the stigma that makes life so difficult for the one in four people who experience mental health problems.”
A spokeswoman for Coronation Street said: “Everyone at ITV has been behind Beverley through this very difficult time. We are extremely proud of the huge progress she has made and delighted that she is back on screen at the centre of the show and we continue to support her.”
Find out more about Mind.
When my dad died we got over £1000 in donations in lieu of flowers at the funeral, and we donated it to MIND. I agree with Ms Callard - the stigma is worth fighting against
ReplyDeleteI really respect that when many of the actors go through illnesses, they then go public and lend their name and support to a related charity to raise awareness.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear
ReplyDeleteAs a sufferer of depression it's nice to hear people in the public eye talking about it. It's had a stigma for far too long.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's very good news that Bev has come out in the open about this and has agreed to support Mind. Very good news indeed.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best to Beverley. Like so many others I've had depression in the past, and found Mind very supportive, as well - I know from experience it's one heck of a climb back up so well done to her and great to see her getting her life back.
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