Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh has warned that her struggling character Tracy Metcalfe is facing a "really dark point" amid her harrowing postnatal depression storyline.
The soap star, 34, has also revealed that she has received messages from fans who have had to "switch off" as they couldn't bear watching the scenes as they were "too raw" for them.
Viewers have watched Tracy struggle over the past few weeks after giving birth to daughter Frankie.
This week, she has reached breaking point and fans were horrified as she declared she wouldn't be returning, saying goodbye to her baby and partner Nate Robinson.
Last night, Tracy was shown trying to block out voices in her head in one heartbreaking moment, as she didn't think she was good enough to be Frankie's mother.
But one distressing scene showed her stood at the top of a bridge, looking over with her baby in her arms.
Opening up about whether things would get better for Tracy, she told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Rochelle Humes: "We're getting there, unfortunately. She's getting to a really dark point.
"It's been important for us to tell a story of hope and for people not to be scared away [from] how this story unfolds because it's really important to see how Tracy's journey through to the end.
"And I'm getting messages saying, 'I've had to switch off, it's too raw, it's too hard.' But you know, I just think - don't worry. She's going to be OK because she's going to get help and we had to show viewers at home that are struggling that you're going to be OK if you get help.
"Unfortunately those, from the research that I've done, those that don't get help seem to end up suffering from suicidal thoughts."
Amy also recently spoke to The Mirror about the fallout of the scenes, and what it will mean for Tracy and Nate's future.
Amy revealed that Nate would "step up" to support her and care for their baby daughter Frankie, as Tracy gets the help she desperately needs.
She said: "I don't know, it's a funny one because she would have to admit that she had those thoughts about potentially not being here, and taking Frankie with her
"It's a massive moment for her. She doesn't say it to him but he hears it, and she is so full of shame when she knows that he knows that.
"But he's still fighting for them, he steps up. He is a great dad and a great partner, it is good to see that support but it is hard."
*This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV
