A CORONER has issued a heartfelt plea for young men to talk about mental health – after a 21-year-old took his own life.

Nathan Dragstra, from Accrington, was found hanged in Fox Hill Bank Nature Reserve on the morning of June 16.

Coroner James Newman said: “I find myself in the position where I am again sitting talking about the death of a 21-year-old man.

“I would urge any young person, if they are feeling in the slightest about taking their own life to talk to someone.”

The inquest heard that Nathan had last been seen in the gym at around 9pm on the evening of June 15.

The fitness fanatic, who lived in Turnpike Grove, Accrington, had sent a text to his mum and dad saying he was staying out for the night.

The following morning, at around 7.35am, a dog walker found Mr Dragstra’s body in woodland, close to a pathway, in Fox Hill Bank Nature Reserve.

The emergency services were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Toxicology reports showed there to be a small amount of alcohol in his system along with the anti-depressant drug fluoxetine.

In a statement from his mother Sharon Dragstra, read out by Mr Newman, she said: “The family moved to the UK from Perth, Australia in 2008. Nathan had a large group of friends and was passionate about the gym and had just gotten into fishing.

“He worked in Tesco and was highly thought of by his colleagues.

“He suffered a brief period of depression at Easter and was taken to Blackburn hospital by a neighbour. On this occasion he had drunk a lot of alcohol.”

The inquest was told that at the time, he had had some fleeting suicidal thoughts, which he knew had been caused by the alcohol.

He had posted on social media how he was feeling and had been overwhelmed at the response, which resulted in neighbour and friend, Kay Johnston, contacting him and subsequently taking him to hospital.

It was heard that following the admission, Mr Dragstra had been prescribed anti-depressants by his GP and had then been referred to a psychological wellbeing practitioner, but failed to make an appointment.

Concluding the inquest, Mr Newman said: “This is another tragic death of a young man. On the evidence there seems to be no significant history of mental illness with the exception of one incident when he attended the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

“I am satisfied that Nathan intended to take his own life.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to Nathan’s family.”