'Absolutely fantastic' Blackburn father of three took his own life after lockdown mental health struggles

Joseph St Jean was just 31 when he was found hanged in his home in Carlinghurst Road, Blackburn, on February 13 this year.

An inquest at Accrington Town Hall heard how Joseph, known as Joe, had been out the night before with his friend Connor Kendall.

They had returned to his flat in the early hours of the morning before Connor left at 7am.

Joe was found dead later that day by his housemate.

Coroner Richard Taylor told the inquest: "There was evidence of cocaine and a little alcohol in his system, but not an excessive amount.

"His GP said Joe hadn't been on any regular medication but he had tried to take his own life on multiple occasions in the past, including an attempt in 2016 and twice in 2018.

"A medical cause of death was recorded as hanging"

His ex-partner, and mother of his children, Laura Shannon, said Joe had been referred to Minds Matter but didn't ever use the service.

She said: "Every time he phoned up they said they were not at the stage to support him so he just gave up.

"We would talk about things and he was ok-ish, until a few weeks before his death.

"He started going out and taking drugs and became unreliable. He did suffer with mental health issues and had tried to kill himself in the past, but it only seemed to happen after he had been drinking.

"The last contact I had with him was when he transferred me some money for the kids, but it was a lot more than he would usually give me, four times as much.

"In the past, when he tried to kill himself, I would normally know something was wrong.

"There was no indication of what he was going to do this time though.

"Looking back, the fact he transferred more money than usual, I didn't even think about it.

"If only I had known."

Friend Connor said on the night of February 12, they had been at another friend's house having some drinks but Joe's behaviour was unusual as he kept wanting to go back to his flat.

He told the hearing: "He kept leaving and coming back, like every hour. We went back to his place in the morning and then I left at about 7am. He was in a good mood though but then I found out later what had happened."

Mr Taylor recorded a conclusion of suicide.

After the inquest, Laura said she felt Joe had been failed by the mental health system.

She added: "Many times they had seen him at the hospital and I feel they failed him.

"Lockdown wasn't helping either as he used to go to the gym a lot but then couldn't."

Laura's mother, Kath Shannon said: "He was an absolutely fantastic father to all three of his kids. I can't understand why he would want to leave them."

If you are struggling with mental health issues, or know someone who might need some help, you can contact the Samaritans free, on 116 123.