Caroline Flack film explores media’s role in TV star’s death
Mother of the presenter criticises treatment of celebrities with mental health issues
The media has failed to learn the lessons of Caroline Flack’s death and must take responsibility for coverage of public figures struggling with mental health problems, the presenter’s mother has said.
Speaking before the release of a Channel 4 documentary that seeks to present a more nuanced portrait of her “lovely, ordinary” daughter, who took her own life in February last year, Christine Flack said she hoped the outlets that “wrote all the horrible things about Caroline” would “take away that before they print anything, at least find out if it’s true. It’s someone’s life, it’s someone’s child, it’s someone’s sister or brother.” She added: “I don’t think they’ve learned yet.”
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.