Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner)’s storyline took a dark turn last night, when, in the wake of her Uncle Charlie’s death, the new mum went missing.

Viewers later watched as Stacey stood on top of the Queen Vic’s roof, dangerously close to the edge.

However she was eventually persuaded to return to the safety of Albert Square - by a vision of her late uncle.

Many viewers took to Twitter to praise Lacey’s gripping performance, insisting that the young star be nominated for an award.

However, while many praised Lacey for her sensitive and accurate portrayal of postpartum psychosis, there were, of course, some sick Twitter trolls out there.

One wrote: “Wonder how much it is for a gram of what Stacey Slater's on, looks proper ruthless.”

Another wrote callously: “Stacey slater the nutjob looool”

“Can someone just put Stacey slater in the ailsa plz,” said another unenlightened viewer. “She's actually driving me mental cause she's mental [sic].”

“Stacey slater going loopy again #EastEnders” quipped one viewer.

And another added: “Stacey slater is lookin right rank these days get her aff ma tele [sic].”

However fans of the show were quick to leap to Stacey’s defence - and that of the soap’s writers, who some criticised for the ‘unrealistic’ storyline.

For all of these viewers, we would like you to know that Stacey has not ‘gone mental’ - she is suffering from postpartum psychosis.

And, although postpartum psychosis can affect a woman without pre-existing mental health issues, it is more likely to affect a mother who has bipolar disorder - the same condition which Stacey was diagnosed with in 2009.

Speaking about the storyline, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the soap’s executive producer, said: “Stacey's mental health story will be one of our biggest storylines over the beginning of 2016 as we explore Stacey's bipolar disorder and its effects on her and those closest to her.

“We have always had a big commitment to Stacey's story and this time we want to explore the effects of postpartum psychosis on those with bipolar - something which, although a rare illness, is unfortunately more common when mothers with bipolar give birth - and look at what we are doing as a country to help mothers experiencing this.

“EastEnders have worked closely with Mind, Bipolar UK, other experts in the field and women with personal experience to show a story that is true and painful while also filled with the usual twists and turns viewers have come to expect from EastEnders.”

Alison Kerry, Head of Media at Mind UK, added: “We are pleased EastEnders is tackling another important, often misunderstood, mental health problem.

"Although very rare, postpartum psychosis is an incredibly serious illness that can affect a woman with or without pre-existing mental health problems just after birth.

"It is so important that we are raising awareness about this subject through the medium of soap as it brings the issue into the living rooms of a massive audience helping us to challenge stigma and improve understanding.”

Lacey and EastEnders have won numerous awards over the years for their portrayal of Stacey’s mental health issues, so we have no doubt that the storyline will continue to be tackled sensitively and raise awareness of another important health issue faced by new mothers.

And, to all those sat at home making fun of Stacey's condition, please remember that it is a very real and serious mental health disorder, which affects a number of new mothers.

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include:

As viewers will no doubt realise, Stacey has been displaying all of the above symptoms.

And, as her condition continues to go unnoticed, the safety of both her and her newborn son is at risk.

We would like to remind viewers that most women who experience postpartum psychosis do not harm themselves or anyone else.

However, there is always the risk of danger (as seen in Stacey's storyline) because psychosis includes delusional thinking and irrational judgment; this is why women with this illness must be quickly assessed, treated, and carefully monitored by a trained healthcare perinatal mental health professional.

Postpartum psychosis is temporary and treatable with professional help, but it is an emergency and it is essential that women seek / receive professional help as soon as possible.

If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by Stacey's storyline, please contact your local doctor now.

*** For more information on post-partum psychosis, please visit Mind UK now.***