![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/hollyoaks-saved-my-life-and-ive-saved-1300-others/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_holi.jpg&description=John Junior became a suicide prevention activist after almost taking his own life before a poignant episode of Channel 4's Hollyoaks changed his perspective Lockdown destroyed the mental health of many, and John Junior is testament to that. For him, 2020 it was a nightmare time that left him feeling "trapped, isolated and suffocated". Tormented by suicidal thoughts, the now 34-year-old had tragically begun making plans to end his life. But one day he happened across an episode of Channel 4's Hollyoaks, and a scene following the aftermath of Kyle Kelly's (Adam Rickett) tragic death stopped him in his tracks. John, who lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, told the Mirror: "It was when the police officer was at the door with Darren [Ashley Taylor Dawson], speaking to Nancy (Jessica Fox), and saying, 'I've got something to tell you, your boyfriend has taken his own life'. And I had a flash of my mum and my brother getting told that, so it struck me, and made me stop what I was doing." Deciding against calling 999, John, who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), called up the Samaritan's helpline instead, telling the person on the other end of the phone exactly how he felt. Opening up felt "amazing", and John has since dedicated his time to helping others suffering their own mental health crises, working alongside businesses, Members of Parliament (MPs), high-profile charities, and emergency services. He's even co-created a BAFTA-award-winning short film about his experiences, entitled 'Hollyoaks Saved My Life'. He is perhaps best known for co-founding John and Charlie's Journey, a movement whereby John - who is sometimes known as "The Duckman" - travels around the UK accompanied by stuffed teddy Charlie The Duck, encouraging people to open up about their mental health, all while tackling the stigma that still surrounds such issues. And his work has seen him save the lives of more than 1,000 people. Looking back on his work so far, John said: "I go out to people all){kind=link}
John Junior became a suicide prevention activist after almost taking his own life before a poignant episode of Channel 4’s Hollyoaks changed his perspective
Lockdown destroyed the mental health of many, and John Junior is testament to that. For him, 2020 it was a nightmare time that left him feeling “trapped, isolated and suffocated”. Tormented by suicidal thoughts, the now 34-year-old had tragically begun making plans to end his life.
But one day he happened across an episode of Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, and a scene following the aftermath of Kyle Kelly’s (Adam Rickett) tragic death stopped him in his tracks.
John, who lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, told the Mirror: “It was when the police officer was at the door with Darren [Ashley Taylor Dawson], speaking to Nancy (Jessica Fox), and saying, ‘I’ve got something to tell you, your boyfriend has taken his own life’. And I had a flash of my mum and my brother getting told that, so it struck me, and made me stop what I was doing.”
Deciding against calling 999, John, who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), called up the Samaritan’s helpline instead, telling the person on the other end of the phone exactly how he felt. Opening up felt “amazing”, and John has since dedicated his time to helping others suffering their own mental health crises, working alongside businesses, Members of Parliament (MPs), high-profile charities, and emergency services. He’s even co-created a BAFTA-award-winning short film about his experiences, entitled ‘Hollyoaks Saved My Life’.