An asylum seeker took her own life in Stoke-on-Trent while fearing deportation to Namibia, an inquest has heard.
Veurika Kariahua, 31, was found dead at her brother’s home in Pittshill on June 10 last year, just one week after being discharged from the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Kariahua is said to have experienced “extreme trauma” in Namibia and was struggling with the deaths of her ex-boyfriend and father in her country of birth.
The inquest heard she lived with the “overwhelming fear” of being sent back to Namibia by the Home Office, while her traumatic experiences had left her with “a lot of emotional hurt and vulnerability”.
Veurika Kariahua was found dead at her brother’s home just one week after being discharged from the Royal Stoke University Hospital
NHS
Kariahua had been admitted to Harplands Hospital in August 2023 after suffering a “psychotic episode”.
She was discharged with antipsychotic medication, which she stopped taking soon after.
On May 31 last year, she attempted to take her own life and was admitted to Royal Stoke, where she tried to kill herself three more times during the night.
A language barrier meant healthcare professionals didn’t understand the full extent of her trauma.
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The inquest heard she lived with the ‘overwhelming fear’ of being deported to Namibia by the Home Office
PA
She missed a 48-hour follow-up appointment after being discharged, as she remained in Stoke rather than returning to her Home Office accommodation in Kidderminster.
Even after authorities were informed of her whereabouts on June 7, a crucial follow-up still didn’t take place.
Dr Bashir, a consultant psychiatrist at the North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust, described Kariahua’s distress during her admission.
“The first 12 hours of her admission to Ward 3 she remained extremely distressed. There were cries of despair and she indicated that she felt that she wanted to end her life,” he told the inquest.
Despite this, doctors later noted “significant improvement” in her emotional state.
The inquest heard that on the day of her death, staff were struggling to arrange follow-up care.
This was because the service “doesn’t tend to help asylum seekers who aren’t registered with a GP”.
Emma Serrano, area coroner for Staffordshire, concluded that Kariahua’s died by suicide, while her cause of death was recorded as asphyxiation.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.