Beverley Callard has thanked Coronation Street and the NHS after taking two weeks off to battle depression.
The actress, who plays Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, has been very open about her mental health struggles in the past.
She’s an ambassador for mental health charity Mind, but admits she was reluctant to open up about her illness to the public at first.
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She explained to Best Magazine earlier this year: “In the beginning I didn’t want to talk about my depression. But I also wanted to be up front and honest.
“You think you’re completely alone. But actually there are thousands going through exactly what you are.”
The soap star took two months off from the cobbles three years ago to deal with her mental health.
And now it seems she’s been struck down again, but is getting back on her feet following a fortnight fighting her demons.
Reaching out on Twitter, the actress said: “First day back at work yesterday, been battling the horrific demons and black dog for two weeks.
“I am fortunate enough to have a great NHS Dr EARLY INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!
“Should be available for EVERYONE this is vital. I can’t talk about this when I’m in the black hole.”
First day back at work yesterday, been battling the horrific demons and black dog for two weeks. I am fortunate enough to have a great NHS Dr EARLY INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY!
Should be available for EVERYONE this is vital. I can’t talk about this when I’m in the black hole xxx— Beverley Callard (@Beverleycallard) July 25, 2019
In a second tweet, she added: “A massive thank you to @NHSuk @itvcorrie and @jonmmac #gettingthere.”
A massive thank you to @NHSuk @itvcorrie and @jonmmac #gettingthere. Xx
— Beverley Callard (@Beverleycallard) July 25, 2019
Beverley’s friends and fans left messages on her tweet commending her for highlighting the issue.
Former co-star Connie Hyde (aka Gina Seddon) said: “Oh Bev, I am full of admiration for you. You are incredible in every way.”
Astrologer and Strictly alumni Russell Grant told her to “call whenever you want, honey”.
A fan added: “Lots of love, Bev – you’re an inspiration in your openness. Take care.”
“Thanks for sharing this. Living with mental health issues myself, your post helps to break down stigma,” said someone else.
And another wrote: “Well done to you for highlighting it and taking the mystique away from what is an illness that affects so many people and yet still gets talked about in hushed tones as if it was the black plague.”
Beverley recently slammed fellow celebrities for making mental health “fashionable” like a “Gucci handbag”.
The 61-year-old feels there is “a danger” it could be seen as trendsetting.
She told Best magazine: “Real mental illness is very dark and it takes a great deal of strength to ask for help.
“I think we are now definitely chipping away at the stigma.
“But we have to be careful mental illness doesn’t become like a Gucci handbag.
“There is a danger it can become ‘fashionable’.”
The star – who celebrates 30 years on the cobbles this year – recently took some time out to perform in play The Thunder Girls.
But she insisted she has no plans to leave the Street.
In an interview with Digital Spy Beverley explained people thought she was leaving when her role in The Thunder Girls was announced. But she assured fans she’s not.
“I love playing Liz. We have a writing team that love writing for her and I really don’t want to go. It’s 30 years in the autumn, so long may it continue.”
She went on to add that she wants to be on the show when it celebrates its 60th birthday in December 2020.
And with 30 years of drama behind her, that doesn’t look set to stop any time yet: “The stories that are coming up for Liz are just fantastic,” she revealed.
“There’s lots of drama, lots of comedy. So it should be good fun and I’m definitely not going anywhere.”
Coronation Street is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
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