Coronation Street gave viewers a surprising insight into Steve McDonald's troubled state of mind last week, as he confided in a doctor about his recent problems and heard that he may be suffering from depression.
Show producers have confirmed that the story will develop further over the rest of the year, so in the latest edition of our fortnightly soaps column Soap Spy, Ryan Love gives his thoughts on how the issue has been tackled so far.
Coronation Street's mental health storyline may be in its early days, but already, I feel it is worth commending.
Why? Steve McDonald.
I was initially sceptical of the show, which has undoubtedly had a rough 2014, tackling such a plot. However, having it play out via the Rovers landlord is a brave and commendable move.
Steve is one of Coronation Street's most recognisable characters. Bubbly, quick-witted, in a happy (or as happy as you can be with Michelle Connor) relationship, financially secure and generally well-loved by everyone, Steve seems to have it all.
What to Read Next
How could he possibly suffer from depression? Credit where credit is due, highlighting that absolutely anyone can suffer is more vital than ever.
Steve's initial obsession with the moles on his skin almost appeared comical. Watching viewer reactions via Twitter, it worked in the show's favour that his fixation on a growing mole appeared within character. Oh, it's just Steve being silly again! Suddenly things took a darker turn as it became clear that Steve needed much more from his GP.
It's no secret that men struggle to open up about their feelings, so to see a character like Steve, who will celebrate 25 years on the Street this December, admit that he needs help can only be a good thing.
If even one male viewer out there took something from those scenes, it has been a success. Figures from the Mental Health Foundation state that 1 in 10 men will require treatment for depression at some point in their life, compared to 1 in 4 women. Men being under diagnosed due to having been presented with different symptoms is a leading reason blamed for this.
In 2012, 76% of suicide victims were male. Government figures published earlier this year show that the highest suicide rate was among men aged 40 to 44.
Nothing is going to change overnight that's for sure, but even the smallest step in the right direction is a big success.
I'm intrigued to see where Coronation Street is going to go with Steve over the coming months. From juggling the stress of Peter's court case to dealing with the return of his father Jim, Steve has finally reached a peak in what he can handle. Watching how those around him cope with his illness will be interesting. From Liz joking about his sense of humour failure to misunderstanding the impact of testifying in court for him, Steve is currently struggling alone.
I was pleased that Steve sought help so early in the plot. There was no long-running descent into the darkness that can so quickly engulf someone who is suffering, no breakdown leading to an intervention. It was a straightforward request for help from Steve, who knew things were not good.
That is exactly the kind of statement I was thrilled to see on-screen. From my own personal experience and understanding, it felt almost braver to show a mental health sufferer take control than it did to see things reach breaking point, using the suffering as a plot device to win ratings.
Credit to Simon Gregson. He has created a character that is easily relatable to but not invincible. When things get too much, like they do for everybody, he did the bravest thing of all - ask for help. Now he just has to tell those closest to him. An even harder challenge.
It's still very early days to be handing out praise for the plot, but the early stages caught my attention due to my own experiences of depression. If things continue as they have done, I am confident Coronation Street and Simon will have much more to come.
Individuals who are affected by Steve's storyline or are experiencing suicidal feelings, please contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or via Samaritans.org. Alternatively, you can contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 and Mind.org.uk
Coronation Street's Simon Gregson: 'Steve is in a very bad place'
Read more Coronation Street spoilers and news
