A mum struggling to cope after two of her children were ‘taken away’ from her - while another was critically-ill in hospital - hanged herself hours after posting ‘I can’t do it any more, bye’ on Facebook.
Emma Thomas was found dead in her garden weeks after finding out two of her children had been placed in the care of her ex-boyfriend permanently by social services.
Just hours before the 28-year-old was found hanging at her Rochdale home, she posted the Facebook status: “Am done u wont my kids u got them u wont get any1 that love there kids like i do cant do it any more bye [sic].”
An inquest into Ms Thomas’ death heard that she had attempted suicide by cutting her wrists and overdosing on pills weeks before she died on March 12.
Tragically, she was found dead by her boyfriend Lee Walsh, after he went to her flat to check on her following an argument.
Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard that Ms Thomas had two children from a previous relationship.
When she separated with their father, she moved from Blackpool to Rochdale with them.
A year later she met Mr Walsh and the pair had a son, who suffers from a serious liver condition and has spent much of his life in hospital.
He was just a year old when his mother died.
In November last year, social services put the two older children - aged five and nine - temporarily in the care of her ex-boyfriend, while she cared for her sick baby.
Ms Thomas's sister Ellen Price told the court: “It was heart-wrenching for her."
Weeks before her death, Ms Thomas was told her ex-boyfriend would have custody of the two children permanently.
The court heard that she was prescribed anti-depressants to help her cope with her two children moving away and the strain of caring for her seriously-ill baby, who she ‘constantly’ visited in hospital.
Ms Price told the court Ms Thomas was also suffering with ‘difficulties’ in her relationship with Mr Walsh and that there had been ‘violent’ incidents.
As Ms Thomas’ problems mounted, she reportedly told social service staff: “I feel like jumping from a bridge.”
Mr Walsh told the court: “I can’t believe Emma did what she did. She left my baby boy.”
Recording a conclusion of ‘suicide’, assistant coroner for north Manchester Matthew Cox said it was ‘clear’ troubles with all three of her children impacted upon Ms Thomas - and that she did intend to kill herself, having made suicide attempts and threats in the past.
After the hearing, Ms Thomas’ sister Donna said: “We all loved her. She was a great mum to her three kids. We all miss her.”
Helplines and websites
If you’re struggling to cope with mental health issues here are some of the ways you can access help.
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information. http://www.depressionalliance.org/
Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. http://studentsagainstdepression.org/
