In the middle of filming season 6 of Virgin River, actress Alexandra Breckenridge

announced the death of one of her closest friends. In paying tribute to her, she also wanted

to send a message of prevention, on the occasion of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Having just announced a new project to her fans, with one of her Virgin River co-stars, Alexandra Breckenridge took to Instagram to share some very painful news. The actress, known for playing Mel Monroe in the Netflix romantic series, lost one of her closest friends and wanted to express herself in a story posted on the social network. “I think it might not be wise to talk about it, but I just learned of the death of one of my closest friends,” Alexandra Breckenridge began in a video, as relayed by the English site Hello. She was like my sister. For a very long time, she was like my sister.” The actress did not hide her emotion and wanted to share this dramatic news because of Mental Health Awareness Month, which is held in May in the United States.

By announcing the death of a very close friend, Alexandra Breckenridge wants to raise awareness of mental health issues

“I just wanted to acknowledge what just happened and, I don’t know why, but on Instagram everything is so happy and cheerful all the time, that we don’t always take the time.” Alexandra Breckenridge continued, explaining why she wanted to speak out, without going into details about her friend’s death. “One of the reasons I feel compelled to say something is because May is Mental Health Awareness Month and my dear friend who just passed away struggled with depression and mental health issues. These are real things that can happen to people and when something devastating like that happens in your life, you want to reach out and be there for someone. It’s always good to remember to reach out. You might think someone doesn’t want your help, maybe they don’t want it, but maybe they need it.” Shortly after the video, Alexandra Breckenridge shared a photo, captioning it, “I will miss you. Thank you for being the pie to my buns.” Alexandra Breckenridge is filming season 6 of Virgin River

Alexandra Breckenridge learned this terrible news while she was in Vancouver, in the middle of filming season 6 of Virgin River. While the series will not return to Netflix until 2025, these new episodes will show the continuation of the adventures of Mel and Jack, who bought Lily’s farm to rebuild it and make it their home. A home that, they hope, will be able to welcome their future children, the couple having not abandoned their project. And, who knows, who could serve as the venue for their wedding, so eagerly awaited by fans and that Alexandra Breckenridge imagines as her own? This season 6 of Virgin River should also see Mel getting to know her biological father, which Doc, jealous, will not see with a good eye, as Patrick Sean Smith, the showrunner of Virgin River, confided exclusively to Télé-Loisirs. While it is not yet known whether this sixth season could be the last of the series, the Virgin River universe could then expand with a spin-off project.