Brothers, 15 and 20, took own lives just months apart
A 15-YEAR-OLD boy killed himself after struggling to come to terms with the suicide of his older brother just ten months earlier.
Medical student Matthew Rowe, 20, was found hanged in his accommodation at Manchester University in January last year.
His younger brother Tom hanged himself at the family home in October.
Parents Stephen, 53, and Louise, 47, said Tom had developed an obsession with social media and suffered from bouts of anger, but they put the behaviour down to ‘typical teenage angst’. The boys’ sister Charlotte, 19, has now spoken out to warn families of the dangers of mental health problems in young men.
Miss Rowe said: ‘When Tom passed away, myself and my family felt completely lost and unsure what to do next as we hadn’t fully grieved for Matthew yet and were faced with another tragic loss.
‘Both of my brothers were normal, sociable boys who you wouldn’t associate with people who suffered from mental health issues.
‘Mental health is a serious problem among young men, with so many of these people not fully understanding their issues. This leaves them feeling like suicide is the only option.’
Matthew, a keen sportsman, died on January 9 last year. Friends said he had struggled to cope with the demands of his university course.
An inquest heard the student doctor took drugs to relieve ‘boredom and anger’, but he had not taken any in the hours before his death. Assistant coroner Nick Stanage recorded a conclusion of suicide at a hearing in Manchester.
Matthew’s family, from Newport, South Wales, were still recovering from losing their eldest son when Tom was found hanged in his bedroom Student doctor: Matthew Rowe on October 7. His father said the family had no idea he was struggling with his brother’s death. ‘Tom’s reaction was what we considered to be that of a typical teenager,’ Mr Rowe said. ‘He had one counselling session but wasn’t the sort of teenager who talked much. There were the occasional outbursts of rage and damage to bedroom furniture but again we put this down to teenage angst.
‘But after a normal Friday evening, tussling over the use of his mother’s mobile phone, Tom returned to his room and took his own life.’
For help, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org