A Nottingham hospital worker has paid tribute to her "eccentric" and "caring" partner after he tragically took his own life. Declan Collier, 26, died after being hit by a train in the Lenton area on April 7.
It came after the dad-of-one's mental health began to spiral. His partner Cate Taylor, from Wollaton, says she felt he had been let down by mental health services and by the police on the night of his death.
The 21-year-old, who shared a son, one-year-old Jake, with Declan, described him as a "great dad". Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, she said: "He was eccentric, really talented, he was a semi-professional scooter rider so he was very impulsive and ballsy.
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"He was really caring as well, a great dad to our son." She said his death was "a nightmare that none of us can wake up from".
Declan had been struggling with his mental health for a while, but only sought help after helping support his partner through postnatal depression. "I was suicidal at one point and he supported me through that, but obviously he was struggling," said Cate, who works at Queen's Medical Centre.
After anti-depressants and other support failed to help, Declan's mental health began to further deteriorate. "He started going downhill completely and we were really concerned about him," she said.
Having "completely spiralled", Cate said Declan told her he wanted to be sectioned due to fearing he would take his own life. Despite seeing a mental health crisis team on April 6, he was deemed to be well enough not to.
In the early hours of the next morning Declan messaged Cate telling her he intended to take his own life. After calling the police and eventually finding out his rough location, Cate told officers where to go as they advised her to stay at home.
"He was texting me saying he could see all of the officers but they could not see him," she said. After an hour she said she was told by a sergeant to turn off her phone in order to stop him messaging. "They said he wasn't actually going to do anything," she said.
"I'm usually quite a defiant person but in that situation I thought the police would know what they were doing. But I woke up to loads and loads of messages from him, saying he loved Jake and that he was broken."
Later that morning she was visited by British Transport Police officers, who informed her Declan had been hit and killed by a train. "It really did not feel real. I thought what had happened? I thought the police said he wouldn't do anything. I wish I didn't listen to the police and I went to him."
Nottinghamshire Police said the matter was being investigated locally. “We take every report of missing people extremely seriously and this can often involve risks to individuals," said a spokesperson.
"This is an ongoing investigation to look at all the circumstances. The matter was referred to the IOPC. However, they felt it was suitable for local investigation. Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends during this extremely difficult time.”
Cate said Declan was "definitely let down" by the police as well as local mental health services. "Working in the NHS I know that they are so understaffed, but the crisis team's one job is to prevent tragedies like this," she said.
"People knew he was struggling, he was open to the crisis team." An inquest is set to be held into Declan's death, which Cate hopes will reveal the facts and figures.
Anne-Maria Newham, executive director of nursing and deputy chief executive at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, expressed her condolences and encouraged anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out for support. “There is a range of services available for people in Nottinghamshire who need support with their mental health which can be accessed without a referral from a health professional," she said.
"These include 24/7 text support and crisis line, crisis sanctuaries, Nott Alone website and NHS talking therapies. If a person is already receiving help from one of our mental health services they will also be provided with contact details for our crisis teams."
Describing the impact of the loss of Declan, Cate said: "I at the moment can't put Jake to bed because that was Dec's routine. He's too young to understand so we just keep playing videos of him.
"The fact that he's not here has destroyed me, his mum, his brother. There's a lot of guilt that we're all carrying, thinking there's more that we could've done.
"It's a nightmare that none of us can wake up from. If anything good comes of this tragedy I just hope it makes other people speak up. To view the fundraiser for Declan, click here.
Self referral mental health support services
In a crisis
For people experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the crisis line on 0808 196 3779. It’s 24/7, and the team can help get the right care (for children, young people and adults).
Or visit a crisis sanctuary (adults only). The sanctuaries provide a safe space and help to people experiencing mental health challenges. For locations and opening times: www.nottinghamshirecrisissanctuaries.tv/
24/7 text support
Text the word Notts to 85258 to get mental health support. The service is open 24/7 and volunteers, supervised by clinicians, can help with issues such as anxiety, stress and depression (for children, young people and adults).
NottAlone website
For people under 25 (or a parent or carer) visit https://nottalone.org.uk for mental health advice and where to go to get support in Nottinghamshire.
NHS talking therapies
Talking therapies is a free and confidential NHS service that can help with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. Anyone aged 18 years or over and registered with a Notts GP can access support via their GP or self-referral at www.notts-talk.co.uk or by calling 0333 188 1060.
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