Coronation Street’s Audrey admits she made a suicide attempt in heartbreaking storyline 

Coronation Street will highlight the issue of mental health and loneliness among older people when Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) admits that she tried to take her own life.

Viewers saw Audrey receiving treatment in hospital last month, telling a doctor that she had accidentally taken too many tablets and this week she continues to insist that was the case to her own GP.

But in emotional scenes set to air on Monday, August 15, Audrey confides in Roy, Rita, Claudia and Ken that the overdose was in fact a suicide attempt.

Heartbreaking: Coronation Street will highlight the issue of mental health and loneliness among older people when Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) admits that she tried to take her own life

The group of friends have gathered for a belated birthday lunch at a local hotel and are stunned when Audrey tells them that she tried to make an attempt on her life three weeks ago, but a neighbour posting a leaflet spotted her and called an ambulance.

As the pals try to come to terms with the shock revelation they ask her what led to the suicide attempt, confessing their guilt at not spotting the signs that their friend was struggling.

Audrey admits that she had kept her feelings hidden and has not even told her family about what happened. 

As the group discusses the problems that growing older can bring she explains that she misses her late husband Alfie and that she had been feeling useless and depressed, turning to drink after suffering with her eyesight deteriorating.

Emotional: Viewers saw Audrey receiving treatment in hospital last month, telling a doctor that she had accidentally taken too many tablets and this week she continues to insist that was the case to her own GP

Audrey says: ‘I just seemed to spiral downwards. I’d toss and turn all night, then finally drop off just when I should be up and at ’em. Seizing the day. Huh! Spend the afternoons on the sauvignon blanc, wondering exactly what I’m good for?’

Actress Sue Nicholls explains: ‘Audrey is very sorry for what she has done and certainly her first reaction was to keep it from her family. Family do, and will always, mean so much to her despite the sniping now and again.

‘She also enjoys and is grateful for being independent and living happily in her own home although the one big regret that has contributed to this latest situation is a wish that dear Alfie was still alive and there with her so that they could have grown old and equally doddery together. 

‘Her family, busy with their own lives, see her down and upset moments as her not being able to cope with the real world and she feels they have started treating her a bit like a child and she started to feel depressed. 

Confide: But in emotional scenes set to air on Monday, August 15, Audrey confides in Roy, Rita, Claudia and Ken that the overdose was in fact a suicide attempt

‘She is mostly very healthy and together but her depression seemed to take over totally.

‘Once she was able to speak with her friends, and they then opened up about their struggles, she realised how much they had helped her immensely regarding her problems. 

‘Dr Gaddas prescribed her antidepressants but yet again her stubbornness kicks in and she doesn’t take them. 

‘Luckily talking to her long standing friends they persuade her to take the doctor’s advice and she thanks them sincerely for making life seem lighter in every way.

‘Now that is the message that I want people to take away from this storyline, the importance of being able to talk to people you trust about how you feel. 

‘Sometimes the young generation might think that anyone over 70 isn’t capable of making decisions which in turn can make older people lose their sense of purpose and begin to feel quite useless.

Storyline: Audrey admits that she had kept her feelings hidden and has not even told her family about what happened

‘I am lucky enough to work with people of every age. I have no idea how old many of them are nor do I need to know. I enjoy speaking with them and taking on board what they say about issues we discuss irrespective of what age we all are. 

Sue added that she hopes this storyline helps older people in need to reach out and ask for help.

She said: ‘So I’d like to say “Listen Audrey, I’m still learning about life at 79 and I truly hope to continue.”

‘I do hope this storyline helps older people reach out and start talking about how they feel and for younger people to be aware of how much the older generation still has to offer.’

This storyline coincides with the latest campaign under ITV’s mental health initiative, Britain Get Talking. 

Britain Get Talking aims to encourage all of us to take action to proactively look after our mental health through connecting with others, with a current focus on anxiety among young people.  

Audrey says: ‘I just seemed to spiral downwards. I’d toss and turn all night, then finally drop off just when I should be up and at ’em’