John Junior

Junior was born with Klinefelter syndrome and began experiencing mental health issues at the age of 11, including low mood and uncertainty about their gender identity.^[7] They identify as genderfluid.^[8]

In 2017, Junior was prescribed sertraline to treat depression and anxiety but stopped taking the medication during the coronavirus lockdown due to side effects.They now manage their mental health with exercise and meditation.^[9]

In 2018, following the sudden death of their father from a heart attack, Junior experienced mental health difficulties, including substance misuse and suicidal ideation.They began daily use of alcohol and cocaine and were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in August 2019.^[10][11][12]

Junior lives with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and it causes distress related to food, including a need to eat food using metal tongs.^[13] Their OCD has also contributed to suicidal thoughts.^[14]

In 2019, Junior began vlogging on Instagram about their experiences with mental health.^[15]

In May 2020, they tested the Samaritans' self-help app during Mental Health Awareness Week.^[16] Junior shared their mental health struggles to raise awareness for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2020.^[17]

In November 2019, Junior launched the mental health movement "John and Charlie's Journey".^[17] Accompanied by Charlie the Duck, a stuffed toy, they encouraged open conversations about mental health.^[18][19]

In September 2020, Junior launched the DBT for All campaign to improve access to dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) through the NHS. The initiative received support from MP Esther McVey, who requested a parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall.^[20][21]

Junior was invited on stage by Keith Duffy of Boyzone and Brian McFadden of Westlife during a Boyzlife concert in Manchester to speak to about their mental health campaign.^[22][23]

Junior appeared on Sky News UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee in 2023, where he discussed concerns about emergency services handling mental health crises and the need for crisis and first aid training for police and ambulance staff in the United Kingdom. During the segment, he highlighted gaps in the system that could leave vulnerable individuals without appropriate support and advised contacting mental health charity, Samaritans for crisis support.^[24]

During the first UK COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, Junior had suicide plans to end their life. They credited a suicide storyline on Hollyoaks with changing their mindset and encouraging them to seek support.^[25][26]

In a BBC podcast, Junior and Ashley Taylor Dawson discussed a Hollyoaks suicide storyline that saved Junior's life. Dawson who portrays Darren Osborne, was part of the storyline.^[27][28]

In 2021, Channel 4 commissioned Lime Pictures to produce Hollyoaks: IRL, a series of short films featuring real-life stories. Junior appeared in the first episode, titled Hollyoaks Saved My Life, released on 16 June 2021.^[29][30] The series was nominated for the BAFTA TV award in the Short Form Programme category in 2022.^{[31][32][33][34]}

Junior was invited by Channel 4 to attend the British Academy Television Awards on 8 May 2022, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.^[35] They were accompanied by Hollyoaks actors Vera Chok and Kieron Richardson.^[36]

In February 2022, Junior appeared in episode six of Gross Up, a British factual entertainment series produced by True North Productions and commissioned by E4.^[37] The programme follows six participants whose personal belongings are sent to a laboratory for scientific testing to identify viruses and bacteria. In Junior’s episode, microbiologists identified gut bacteria on some of their personal items.^[38][39][40]