A young dad killed himself just a few weeks after he was turned away from a mental health unit, an inquest heard.
Brandon McDonald’s body was found in a woodland near Canal Street in Dudley, West Midlands, by a member of the public on September 9 last year.
The 20-year-old had been out with friends the night before and was ‘laughing and joking’, Black Country Coroner’s Court heard.
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Brandon’s mother, Jo McDonald, told the court he was receiving help for mental health issues following the death of his best friend, his grandfather and the break up of his ex, who was the mother of his child.
Mr McDonald, a labourer, had been placed on anti-depressants.
The court heard Mr McDonald had gone to Bushey Fields Hospital, part of Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, about five weeks before his death following a ‘bad weekend’ but he was turned away.
Mrs McDonald said: ‘Brandon had just lost his grandad and he was really affected by this. Brandon and my dad were best friends.’
Brandon was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder as a child and received counselling, the court heard.
Mrs McDonald said: ‘I had previously found Brandon with a ligature around his neck. I told him he meant so much to everyone. He told me: ‘I am scared I mighthurt myself.’
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‘He was receiving help for his mental health issues but he said he never saw the same person and, when he went for help, was told he needed to make an appointment at a later date.’
Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Trust sent a statement to the coroner admitting it had ‘failed to identify the impact of life stresses on the patient’.
An action plan has since been put in place, which includes further training for staff and to increase better communication.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr McDonald, of Beech Road, Dudley, died from asphyxia due to hanging.
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A small trace of cocaine and paracetamols were found in his system, the court heard.
Zafar Siddique, Black Country Coroner, recorded a conclusion of suicide.
Mr Siddique said: ‘Lessons have been learned from this tragic case. It is a tragic set of circumstances. He was a young man. My deepest condolences go out to his family.’
Friends and relatives launched a fundraising campaign after the tragedy, generating £450 to allow Brandon’s family to ‘give him the send-off he deserves’.
To donate to Brandon’s page, click here.
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