EastEnders' teenager Amy Mitchell self-harms after heartbreak in harrowing storyline

EastEnders has been praised by mental health charities for a storyline about teenager Amy Mitchell’s self-harming.

Viewers will next week see 14-year-old Amy, played by Ellie Dadd, discovered hurting herself in her bedroom after breaking up with boyfriend Denzel, played by Jaden Ladega.

The schoolboy, also only 14, dumped her after a rumour about them having slept together spread around their school.

Amy’s mental health deteriorates fast and soap fans will learn about her self-harming when Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) walks in on her. In carefully shot scenes, Sam is shown helping the youngster to clean up and apply a plaster.

EastEnders has been praised by mental health charities for a storyline about teenager Amy Mitchell’s self-harming (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders took advice from charities Alumina, Mind and Samaritans to ensure the subject was portrayed as realistically and as sensitively as possible.

Enders boss Chris Clenshaw said: “It was really important for us to explore a storyline focused on Amy’s mental health challenges – the issues she faces impact so many young people and their families across the UK so we hope this will help to raise awareness and to start a conversation amongst viewers.”

Viewers will next week see 14-year-old Amy, played by Ellie Dadd, discovered hurting herself in her bedroom (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Mind spokesman Alex Bushill said: “I hope Amy’s story helps highlight that self-harming is all too real, it’s not attention-seeking. There is a mental health crisis in young people, with one in six experiencing a mental health problem.”

Jenny Cavendish, of Alumina, said: “We value how sensitively this has been portrayed, expressing the variety of feelings both Amy and those around her experience.”

Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) walks in on her in the harrowing scenes (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Actress Abbie Burke played the character for eight years, with Silent Witness star Ellie taking over the role in August this year.

The part of Amy Mitchell was previously played by Amelie Conway in 2014, before her character was recast with Abbie, who was last seen in Walford in June.

Kim Fox marked older Amy's debut to viewers as she screamed her name to introduce her to Howie’s son Denzel – who Amy seemed keen to impress.

• If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk