EastEnders works with mental health charity on schizophrenia storyline

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Eastenders Works With Mental Health Charity On Schizophrenia Storyline
Stevie Basaula as Isaac Baptiste in EastEnders, © PA Media
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By Tom Horton, PA

EastEnders has worked with the mental health charity Mind on a storyline focusing on schizophrenia.

Isaac Baptiste, played by actor Stevie Basaula, will be diagnosed with the condition in the BBC One soap.

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Mind helped “give an insight into the emotional and social experience of living with schizophrenia, particularly looking at attitudes towards mental health in African Caribbean communities”, according to a statement from the makers of the programme.

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(Philip Toscano/PA)

Viewers will see Isaac deal with stigma from friends and family, it added.

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The storyline coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, which begins on Monday.

Basaula said: “This is close to my heart, to be telling Isaac’s story is a privilege.

“I hope it will start a dialogue for people to have conversations about mental health and that anyone living with the condition will feel seen.

“Working with Mind has been so useful, I spoke to a young man who bravely shared his story and it was inspiring to learn how he’s managing  his condition.

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“There’s so much we think we know about schizophrenia, but it’s often not the reality for people living with the condition.

“I hope that anyone engaging with Isaac’s story will gain a better understanding and can approach someone they know that may be struggling from a more positive place.”

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(Andrew Stuart/PA)

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EastEnders executive producer Jon Sen said: “Working with Mind has been imperative in ensuring we tell Isaac’s story truthfully.

“There’s a multitude of layers to this storyline and Mind’s expertise has been crucial as we explore Isaac’s experience.”

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