Coronation Street spoilers follow. This article contains discussion of themes including suicidal thoughts/ideation.
Coronation Street's struggling Asha Alahan confides in old and new friends next week – but will it be enough for her to seek the help that she needs? While helping Gemma Winter-Brown with the quads' birthday party planning, it's clear that Asha is struggling with her mental health.
As Asha takes a break outside, Gemma joins her to share some lived experience…
"Gemma totally understands what Asha's been through, so she decides to open up about her own depression in the hope that it'll help her stepsister," explains our Corrie source.
"The caring mum tells Asha about how she eventually learned to keep a lid on her dark thoughts, and Asha thanks her for the chat.
"However, once she's alone, Asha hears the voice of her racist abuser Naomi tormenting her in her head."
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As the struggling young woman relives her recent trauma, newcomer Maggie Driscoll finds her, and gently encourages her to share her troubles.
In response, Asha bravely opens up about her former life as a paramedic – and her tragic attempt to take her own life…
"Maggie wisely suggests that Asha must've helped people struggling with similar mental health issues during her time as a paramedic and encourages her to show herself the same kindness," says our spy.
"It's these words that finally get through to Asha, as she realises how harshly she's treating herself, and she's pushed to consider what she really needs to get on the road to recovery…"
What will Asha's future hold now that she's had a key breakthrough?
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The scenes show a softer side to newcomer Maggie, who makes her first appearance in next Monday's episode (27 October) and immediately causes a stir.
Maggie upsets her future daughter-in-law Eva Price by turning up at The Rovers and trying to assert her authority at the pub, shortly after Eva and her partner Ben have taken over as the new owners. But do the scenes with Asha prove that Maggie isn't all bad?
Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva, recently told us: "The way the writers have structured things for [Eva and Maggie] – it's hilarious, it's constant jibes.
"But there's also a moment that we did not so long ago where Eva says: 'If I wasn't with Ben and I'd just met Maggie, I think we'd be mates'. There are a lot of similarities between them.
"They both love the family, they're both striving for the same thing, it's just that now and again they come to blows. But that's great fun to play."
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She added: "It's an interesting one. Early doors, I wouldn't say that Eva is scared of Maggie, she's more irritated by her.
"But as time goes on, Eva does start to see this side to Maggie that's like: 'Wow, okay, I've got your number'. I think that element develops where she goes: 'Yeah, I am a little bit scared of her now and intimidated'."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
