Soldier had no clear signs of depression, expert tells hearing

A MEDICAL expert has said he could not identify any “clear-cut signs” of depression in a soldier who took his own life at a Co Down Army base.

Professor Seena Fazel, a leading consultant in forensic psychiatry at Oxford University, was speaking yesterday at the inquest into the death of Rifleman Darren Mitchell (20), from London, whose body was found at the Ballykinler barracks on February 10, 2013.

The inquest is also examining the suicide of Lance Corporal James Ross (30), from Leeds, on December 8, 2012.

Both men were serving with Second Battalion The Rifles and had previously seen active service in Afghanistan. Their families have raised post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) concerns following their deaths.

Professor Fazel had assessed psychiatric issues raised in previous evidence relating to Mr Mitchell in the months leading up to his death. In his report he said he found no indications to

Lance Corporal James Ross and (right) Rifleman Darren Mitchell

determine a diagnosis of depression or PTSD.

Whenquestionedbythebarrister for the families, Karen Quinlivan QC, he acknowledged that “young men with mental health issues don’t always seek help”.

Earlier this week civilian nurse Louise McPherson said Mr Mitchell was “very tearful” when she saw him four months before his death, but was unwilling to open up about his emotional wellbeing.

In his evidence yesterday, the then resident medical officer Dr Tom Diacon conceded that there was “relatively minimal” medical training in relation to suicide

vulnerability and he had received none for PTSD.

He said that while there was no mental health team based at Ballykinler, referrals for psychiatric treatment to Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn occurred “once every other week”.

Dr Diacon added that the GP surgery within the barracks offered “an open door policy”, but the onus would have been on the patient to return if they had any issues to discuss.

“There’s no point in referring an individual on to the community psychiatric nurse if they are not going to open up,” he said.

The inquest continues.