The mental health impact of the coronavirus lockdown is believed to have played a big part in the untimely death of a ‘funny, loving and kind’ 20-year-old Devon man who ended his life after crashing his car, an inquest has heard.
Henry Reed, who lived at home with his parents in Paignton, was involved in a single-car collision on March 5, 2023, near South Devon College on the road towards Stoke Gabriel. His parents were informed of the crash by police who had also launched a missing persons investigation as he had not been seen since the incident.
Henry’s dad Jonathan told in a statement how he and his wife had at first thought he was lying low due to the crash, but as time went on they became increasingly concerned for his welfare. The search to find him intensified, and two days after going missing, Henry was tragically found passed away in woodland near his home by family members on March 7, 2023.
Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. The cause of his death was respiratory arrest due to suspension.
The inquest held at Exeter Coroners Court today, January 21, heard that Henry had a history of depression dating back to 2021. His GP told in a statement how the pandemic had been a difficult time for him during which he made a number of serious suicide attempts.
He was said to have been supported by community mental health services and primary care. In February 2023, he reported to his GP his mental health had deteriorated and he was awaiting an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner Nicholas Lane said: “His mental health was clearly was not in a good place in the February and March period. Henry had been struggling with his mental health for some time time and this led him to have thoughts of ending his life.”
Following Henry’s death, his family paid a loving tribute to him and appealed to others to seek help if they were struggling with their mental health, reports DevonLive.
Henry, one of three children, was a pupil at Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Galmpton. During his time there he developed a passion for rugby and joined Paignton Rugby Club. His rugby career was cut short at the age of 16 when he sustained an injury, and then snapped the same ligament just 12 months later after slipping on ice.
Henry also had a passion for cricket and rugby, and played for Chelston and Kingskerswell Cricket Club. He also loved walking his two-year-old cocker spaniel, Freddie.
Shatter the Silence
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk – to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.
Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.
We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.
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WHERE TO GET HELP:
SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHSOffers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALMoffer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 andwebchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems
HUB OF HOPEis a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY’S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE’S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives
THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.
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After leaving school, Henry began a three-year mechanical engineer apprenticeship. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, he did not complete it and instead began working for Western Power as a linesman, which he continued to do up until his death.
Hundreds of people attended his funeral which saw him transported to the service via a trike hearse and small procession of motorbikes, reflecting his love of bikes. He has been described as a ‘happy, kind, loving, and hilariously funny’ young man.
Hoping that mental health provisions are improved, Henry’s mum Sarah told DevonLive: “I’m annoyed that mental health is not being taken as seriously as it should be and is so underfunded.
“It was not just a big deal for Henry, but so many people who have come forward since his death who said Henry helped them in their darkest days. We have also heard from other parents whose children are struggling or have lost family members.
“When it came to likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Freddie Flintoff, and Prince Harry sharing their stories about mental health, it didn’t help Henry because he would say ‘that’s not real people’ and that there was nothing out there for people like him.
“I wish I had known about Andy Man’s Club back then as it might have been something he could have engaged with, to make him realise he was not on his own and be among people who were not trying to fix him but understood him. Instead, I think he thought no-one really understood.
“My message to anyone suffering with their mental health is don’t be ashamed of it. It’s not unmanly. I think Henry was quite anxious, but he wouldn’t have admitted to that. We just need to break down those barriers to allow people to talk.
“I also want to beg people to be nice to each other and say kind things, because you don’t know what other people are carrying around with them. Henry certainly did not let people know how badly he was struggling.”