Kentish Express Ashford & District
Suicide note of tragic 21-year-old
A young Ashford man killed himself just hours after leaving a mental health unit with no phone or money.
Homeless Jack Barton, 21, from Kingsnorth, suffered with ADHD and drug problems, and his mum said he had a history of anxiety and depression.
He was found hanging in the woods behind his mother’s house, in Kingsnorth, just hours after discharging himself from a psychiatric ward.
Jack had been admitted to Priority House, in Maidstone, after an earlier suicide attempt.
After a short stay he discharged himself, despite having no address, phone or money. Staff paid for a taxi back to his mum’s house. While there, he collected a change of clothes, his trainers and his bank card.
Hours later, Jack was found dead in a wooded area, off Steeds Lane, on September 21.
At an inquest at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court Assistant Coroner for South East Kent Christopher Morris heard about the troubled man’s previous suicide attempts.
The court heard Jack had been using and dealing cocaine, which dramatically affected his mood swings. The former Homewood School pupil lived an erratic lifestyle and his mother Christine said he had lost contact with his school friends.
Michael Hopkins, a mental health nurse who had been on duty when Jack was admitted, said: “He came across as a troubled young man who did not seem to know where he was going in life.
“He felt he had been brought into the wrong place. I explained about signposting and where he could get help but he was reluctant to stay in hospital.
“I considered using an emergency holding power, but he said ‘I’m not ill, all I want is housing and employment’.”
His mother told health teams she was worried because the son she knew could be absolutely lovely, but he also became incredibly hostile and would damage her home.
On the day of his death, police were called to a heavily wooded area near Steeds Lane, where Jack was found hanging.
His rucksack, a care plan from the hospital and a heart-wrenching handwritten suicide note were all nearby.
Assistant Coroner Christopher Morris recorded a conclusion of suicide and said it was a tragic case of a man who died far too young.
If you would like confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time