Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Michael Mansfield QC calls for for help in preventing suicides ahead of inquest into daughters death

Anna Mansfield was 44 when she died in May, she had been diagnosed with depression

Josh Barrie
Monday 14 December 2015 15:29 EST
Comments
Michael Mansfield says better support for those with suicidal thoughts might help save people
Michael Mansfield says better support for those with suicidal thoughts might help save people (Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield, QC, called for suicidal people to be supported differently ahead of the opening of an inquest into his daughter’s death.

Anna Mansfield was 44 when she died in May. She had been diagnosed with depression.

Mr Mansfield believes changes should be made to the support networks set up for people with suicidal thoughts, and their families involved.

He said his daughter explained during a visit to her GP that she was feeling depressed, but was not asked whether she had been feeling suicidal or felt such thoughts.

“I knew that Anna was troubled, but I had no idea that this is what was on her mind,” Mr Mansfield told The Guardian. “We had been due to meet on the Sunday, two days after she died, to see if together we could sort out some of the current pressures in her life.

Michael Mansfield's daughter Anna
Michael Mansfield's daughter Anna

“The NHS needs to do more to support people at risk of taking their lives. We need to start talking about what the signs of suicide are and look at where the fault lines exist.”

Mr Mansfield explained a rapid decline in his daughter’s health. He said it highlighted a thin line between coping and not and feels GPs and other medical professionals should be given more training in spotting the signs of suicide.

Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics detail an increase in suicides in the UK. In 2013, 6,233 people over the age of 15 killed themselves – a rise from 252 from the year before.

After Ms Mansfield died, Mr Mansfield and his partner, Yvette Greenway, set up a forum called Silence on Suicide (SOS), which aims to urge people of all ages talk more openly about their feelings and potentially dangerous tendencies.

Mr Mansfield added: “We need serious changes in accessibility to mental health services so that people are not ashamed about seeking help.

“I am not just talking about psychiatric hospitals but about the mental pressure on so many people to get from one end of the day to the other.”

Mr Mansfield, who’s led numerous high-profile inquests and represented the family of Mark Duggan, will be present at his daughter’s, which will be held at Barnet coroner’s court.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in