To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Calls For Better Mental Health Support For Support Workers As Grenfell Hero Found Hanged

Calls For Better Mental Health Support For Support Workers As Grenfell Hero Found Hanged

'It was so heartbreaking to read that such a selfless, caring, compassionate vulnerable woman was in so much pain'

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

In the wake of the tragic suicide of Grenfell Tower hero Deborah Lamont, people are urging the government to provide better support for medical workers.

Dr Deborah Lamont, 44 - who won the Red Cross' highest award for her services during the fire - tragically took her own life two years after the horror blaze, which killed 72 people in 2017.

She was a team leader with the humanitarian charity and had volunteered as part of the emergency response team in the wake of the fire.

An inquest on Thursday heard she that she had also battled alcohol and mental health problems since way back in her teens, and had made previous attempts at suicide.

It also heartbreakingly revealed that authorities were aware of Dr Lamont's unstable mental condition before her death.

Dr Deborah Lamont tragically took her own life two years after the blaze (
Athena Pictures)

The inquest heard how Dr Lamont had sent her boyfriend Jim Rees concerning text messages, stating: "Life is overwhelming. I feel like treating myself as badly as possible."

Mr Rees revealed he then told Dr Lamont to speak to the Samaritans. But he called 999 after she text him saying: "I think my job on this earth is done."

Another heartbreaking text read "It's my time," before she went on to tell him: "I think my life should end so the pain will stop".

Police visited Dr Lamont in her Cardiff hotel room only to find she had attempted suicide but it had gone wrong.

However, they were left powerless to detain her under the Mental Health Act because she was not in a public place, and decided - alongside paramedics and a mental health crisis team - to leave her alone in the hotel room for the night.

Dr Lament helped treat the victims of Grenfell Tower (
PA)

Devastatingly, the next morning, she was found hanged. She had text her boyfriend at 9.40pm writing: "I'm truly sorry, X."

The inquest continues.

Reacting to the tragic news of her death, one person wrote online: "Was reading about British Red Cross humanitarian Dr Deborah Lamont.

"It was so heartbreaking to read that such a selfless, caring, compassionate vulnerable woman was in so much pain. Mental health services let her down. They saw she had attempted and was drunk but left her."

While another added: "Our mental health system should be better. She should have been in hospital under supervision. This is yet another tragic loss of life."

Tragically, 72 people died in the blaze (
PA)

A third agreed: "Devastating news, mental illness is not a weakness people dealing with it are stronger than the people who dont suffer from it something must be done and fast or we will carry on losing great contributors to our society the very people we need you try to make others life better". [sic]

At the time, the case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and South Wales Police's Professional Standards Department but no action was taken.

RIP. What a tragic story.

Anyone affected by this article or struggling in any way should call Samaritans for free on 116 123 - or write down your thoughts in an email to [email protected].

Featured Image Credit: Athena Pictures

Topics: News