EastEnders’ Lola Pearce is left devastated when boyfriend Isaac Baptiste rejects her after he is sectioned.
Next week’s episodes of the BBC One soap follow Isaac’s (Steve Basaula) upsetting breakdown after his schizophrenia took a turn for the worse in this week’s episodes.
As he receives treatment in a mental health unit, Lola (Danielle Harold) is at the Trueman-Fox household and decides to make Isaac a playlist as Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson ) encourage her to visit her boyfriend.
This comes despite resistance from Isaac’s mother Sheree Trueman (Suzette Llewellyn) who is unhappy with Lola’s role in Isaac’s life and his mental health struggles.
While visiting the mental health unit, Sheree is told by mental health worker Rafe that Isaac does not want to see her.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Lola soon turns up to visit and sees an upset Sheree before speaking with Isaac himself.
Despite being on a new medication, Isaac is still struggling and while Lola tries to be there for him, he tells Lola of his hurt and upset over how she promised he would not be hurt and she broke that promise.
The following day, Lola returns to visit Isaac once again but finds similar treatment to Sheree the day before as Rafe informs her that Isaac does not want to see her.
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(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Lola leaves but later resolves to return with a burger and resolves to come back every day with one in the hope of him being ready to see her.
Can Isaac overcome his issues and will he and Lola mend their relationship?
Discussing the storyline and working with mental health charity MIND, actress Danielle Harold told Digital Spy: “Obviously Stevie had to play the character with schizophrenia and my part is how to deal with somebody you love having it.”
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
She went on: “For me working with Mind’s Media Advisory team who were advising on set, hearing all their stories, speaking to people who have schizophrenia and to listen to their stories was just amazing and so helpful.
” Mind is an amazing charity, if anyone is struggling with anything I’d definitely say get in touch with Mind, they’re incredible.”
*EastEnders usually airs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings on BBC One but all of this week’s episodes are available on BBC iPlayer.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] if you’d prefer to write down how you feel.