Teacher kills herself after being called ‘emotionally immature’
A ‘ PERFECTIONIST’ teacher hanged herself after an occupational therapist branded her ‘emotionally immature’.
An inquest heard that Chelsey Peart, 27, was found by her husband Mark at their home just weeks after seeing the official report, which her mother said had ‘changed her completely’.
Mr Peart, who had just finished his shift as a firefighter, laid his wife on the floor in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and attempted CPR until paramedics arrived. But she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court heard how Mrs Peart, who taught at Rawmarsh Community School and also ran her own bridal accessory business, had been signed off work by her GP, Dr Biing Hen, on a number of occasions.
Headteacher Helen O’Brien said she had taken the ‘very, very talented textiles teacher’ to hospital on November 9 last year after she had told another member of staff she’d had suicidal thoughts on the journey to work. The court also heard that Mrs Peart attempted to take her own life in February – information which had not been shared with the school.
Dr Hen said Mrs Peart became ‘annoyed’ by a report in March which labelled her as ‘emotionally immature’. Mrs O’Brien added: ‘Chelsey disagreed with and contested the report. I said I would speak to her GP to get a second opinion. The door was kept open – at no point was Chelsey told she wouldn’t be able to return to school.’
The court heard that Mrs Peart had ‘hopes of having a child’ but had told a mental health worker she felt like she was ‘stuck in a hamster wheel of everything’.
She also ran a bespoke bridal accessory business from home,
‘Stuck in a hamster wheel’
designing and creating accessories such as garters, head pieces and chokers.
In a statement which was read to the court, Mr Peart said he was working a day shift at his fire station on April 11. He added: ‘I arrived home at about 7.05pm and the house was in darkness. I discovered Chelsey hanging.’
Assistant coroner Louise Slater said she could not record a verdict of suicide as the evidence did not prove Mrs Peart intended to take her own life.
She also questioned the use of the phrase ‘emotionally immature’ in the assessment, saying it was not a ‘medical diagnosis’. She said: ‘It’s clear, not just from the evidence but also the documents before me, where she is repeatedly going back to this report from the occupational assessment, and I have no doubt it had a very detrimental effect on Chelsey’s wellbeing.’
She added: ‘Chelsey was a good teacher. She was liked and respected by her peers, and, although not here, I suspect the pupils as well and probably their parents.
‘But it would appear from the evidence that Chelsey found it difficult to accept that she was actually quite good at what she did. She was always striving to be better and perhaps she was a bit of a perfectionist.’ Mrs Slater said Mrs Peart ‘ seemed to be worried about letting those around her down’ but added that her family were the ‘most supportive of her’.
Following Mrs Peart’s death, former colleague Laura Royston said: ‘I am so, so sad. I worked with Chelsey for a few years and she was the most kind and beautiful girl there ever was.’
Lizzy Eliza Dun described her as ‘one of the best teachers’ who was ‘ so kind and caring’ while Kayleigh Thorpe added: ‘Such a genuine beautiful soul. Amazing at her job.’
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for details.