Parents’ call for more information to be shared after student son who was forced to retake third year suffocated himself
An inquest into the death of Andrew Worden recorded a verdict of suicide as the student's parents called for more awareness from universities
A STUDENT’S grieving family has called for universities to share information on mental well-being after he suffocated himself.
Andrew Worden, 22, right, felt “crushing” pressures and had to retake a year at Birmingham University, an inquest heard.
His family had no idea he was struggling and his mother Karen Worden told the inquest that her youngest son always seemed "happy" when he returned to the family home in Breage, Cornwall.
Andrew’s grieving family called for universities to share information about students’ academic achievements and their mental wellbeing, should concerns arise.
The promising athlete did not tell his family that he had to retake his third year and some exams after he dropped out of his engineering degree course.
The inquest heard Andrew had contacted his GP over concerns he might be bipolar, and was diagnosed with a milder form of the illness, cyclothemia.
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He missed appointments with Forward Thinking Birmingham, a mental health service for people up to the age of 25, and was subsequently discharged.
Mum Karen asked: “Why didn’t they contact us if something was wrong?”
A conclusion of suicide was recorded.