A local family are preparing themselves for the screening of a documentary about the loss of their son and brother after it was rescheduled following the Queen’s death.
BBC1’s We Are England begins its new series this Friday (7 October) at 7.30pm, a couple of weeks later than scheduled, with an episode called The Barbershop, featuring the Moliterno family from Bedford.
It follows the death of barber, Fabio Moliterno, who took his own life in September 2021, and how Fabio’s family have used the tragedy to raise awareness of mental health and to educate themselves on suicide prevention.
Fabio’s father, Guy and brother, Franko, have both worked with the Bedford-based Samson’s Academy Charity to take an online suicide prevention course, something that has given them greater empathy for those struggling.
Ahead of the rescheduled screening, the Bedford Independent spoke to Fabio’s younger sister, Aimée, 16, about how it felt to be part of the documentary and the advice she would give to young people going through a similar bereavement.
Read: Moliterno family opens up in BBC documentary about male suicide
“Being part of the documentary was much more emotional than I thought it would be,” Aimée told the Bedford Independent.
“It was hard to go through all those feelings again; very hard.”
While other family members have already been given a preview of the documentary by the BBC, Aimée said she wants to wait and watch it ‘live’ when it’s broadcast on Friday.
She said she listens to her brother Franko’s tribute to Fabio most days. Franko, aka DJ Turno, has released the track ‘What’s on Your Mind’ which is also featured in the documentary.
“I listen to it most days,” said Aimée. “I love it that you can hear his voice. My sister was with Franko at a festival when he played it and she FaceTimed us so we could see the reaction of the crowd. Everyone is so proud of him.”
Ahead of World Mental Health Day (10 October), Turno and his team are hosting an event at Manchester Recording Studios today (5 October).
All profits from the event and from the sale of his track will go to the charity Mind.
“I hope that after seeing the documentary and hearing the track, people open up and talk more,” said Aimée.
“Since Fabio died it’s brought our family closer together, but at celebrations, it’s always emotional as it feels like someone’s missing.
“For any young people who have lost someone to suicide, I’d say keep your head high, share your feelings and talk to your friends. Don’t be ashamed and don’t keep your feelings a secret.”
Aimée said that losing her brother has changed their family’s attitude to mental health. “We want to do whatever we can to raise awareness of suicide and to keep Fabio’s legacy alive. We’ve got to make something positive out of it.”
You can watch We Are England on BBC1 on Friday at 7.30pm. It will be available on the BBC iPlayer afterwards.
You can find out more about Suicide Prevention Training by contacting Samsons Academy Charity by email here info@samsons-academy.org.
