EastEnders has aired a special mental health episode focused on Phil Mitchell, with a poignant ending.

This week, Lexi finally discovered the truth about where her grandad is, after a confusing interaction with Nigel, whose dementia continues to worsen.

Phil’s loved ones decided to pay him a visit in the mental health unit, but when they arrived, they were told that he had discharged himself that morning.

Today’s special episode went back in time, giving viewers an insight into Phil’s month spent in the unit following his suicide attempt.

Phil at first struggled to adapt to his new environment and refused to buy into the unit’s activities and therapy sessions, convinced that he would be ‘fixed’ with medication alone.

But he then met fellow patient Gaz, and while he was initially reluctant to chat, the pair struck up a friendship and Phil began to open up to his new mate.

Phil spoke about his dad and the pressure of being a ‘man’ for his family – and he confessed that before he tried to take his own life, he realised that he had never stopped loving Sharon.

Gaz was told that he was being discharged from the unit, but he wasn’t happy about this, as unlike Phil, he has no support from family and friends.

The next day, Phil made the devastating discover that Gaz had harmed himself using the beer can he had given him. He quickly told the staff, who were fortunately able to save his friend’s life.

Phil berated support worker Yasmin for not finding Gaz earlier, but the pair later had an emotional conversation where he admitted he didn’t want his family to see him in a vulnerable state.

Yasmin’s advice struck a chord, so Phil began to engage in the therapy sessions and eventually decided he was ready to be discharged – bringing viewers back to the present day.

As Nigel, Linda, Billy, Lexi worried about Phil, Yasmin’s insight meant that they found him at his dad Eric’s grave, having already left flowers and a picture on Peggy’s headstone.

Phil resolved not to end up like Eric and reunited with his loved ones. He promised Nigel that they would help one another through their struggles, and Julia’s Theme played as he began to look to the future.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 “𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 & 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑠.𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜” 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧-𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬