A much-loved man tragically took his own life following a 'failed' hair transplant. Forty-seven year old Gwyndaf Owen from North Wales is said to have believed people would 'mock' him if they saw his scars.
Mr Owen was found dead in his garden shed in March after years of struggling to cope with the 'sole event' that triggered his 'mental health difficulties'. An inquest yesterday (Oct 19) heard how Mr Owen had developed suicidal thoughts and previously made two attempted to take his own life, after his hair transplant surgery in 2004.
The farm supervisor lived with his 77-year-old mother in Llanerchymedd in Anglesey and was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and depression. The inquest heard how Mr Owen "severely regretted" the procedure and felt he "did not need it and he should have just shaved his head".
READ MORE: Nottingham youth worker voices concern over waiting list during 'difficult' time for young people
After a suicide attempt in 2004 though, he moved on with his life and his mental state improved. But, his behaviour is said to have changed and he started drinking a lot, North Wales Live reports.
Over the years, Mr Owen received patient treatment and community care, the inquest heard. One of the professionals who dealt with Mr Owen was Dr Julia Taylor, a clinical psychologist for Ynys Mon community health team.
A statement by her at the inquest said: "The unsuccessful hair transplant was the sole life event that Mr Owen could identify as the precursor to his mental health difficulties."
She added that Mr Owen believed he had scars on his head from his transplant: "He believed that other people could see the scars and would mock him if they noticed them."
On October 29 last year, Mr Owen died after taking his own life, the inquest heard. He was taken to a unit in Wrexham where he spent 16 days having treatment before being discharged into the care of a home treatment team.
The inquest also heard Gwenno Williams, a social worker and approved mental health professional, was another who assessed Mr Owen. She said in a statement that Mr Owen said he was hearing "negative" voices.
Gareth Owen, Gwyndaf's older brother, told the inquest that on March 8 this year he became concerned for his brother. Their mum told him Gwyndaf had gone out on his bike but Gareth looked in the stone-built garden shed and found Gwyndaf there..
Gareth Owen said he lay his brother on his back and gave him CPR for 10 minutes while waiting for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived. Gareth Owen said: "He (a paramedic) said I could stop. He had gone."
PC Rob Williamson said in a statement that he arrived to find Mr Owen "unconscious and unresponsive". A pathologist carried out a post mortem examination and found he died from hanging.
The hearing was told Mr Owen had been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and depression. A course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy had been planned.
Sarah Riley, assistant coroner for North West Wales, found that Mr Owen hanged himself and concluded that he died from suicide.
After his death, officials at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reviewed Mr Owen's case. They found his care had been "appropriate, proportionate and timely", said the assistant coroner. She also said a plan was noted to address certain actions, although they weren't read out at the inquest.
READ NEXT:
- Nottingham gym owner fears for future amid concern over high rent
- Married At First Sight UK star Tayah in hospital days after giving birth to baby girl
- Former Tesco worker's Carlton bakery has people queuing outside the door
- Cost of living: 'People scared and traumatised' over bills as weather gets colder
- The Nottingham women putting on countless events for the community and uniting people through music
