An ‘exceptionally bright’ 23-year-old man took his own life after his mental health began to ‘deteriorate’, an inquest heard.

Shaun Bass of Tattersall Avenue, Johnson Fold, died on February 23, 2020, at his home address, after purchasing a controlled poison online, which has been linked to a number of deaths.

The court heard how Shaun had suffered with depression and anxiety from the age of 15, when he was first referred to the mental health services.

His mother Donna Hasan described him as ‘exceptionally bright for his age’ as a young boy and as he went into his teen years, and said he wanted to be a graphic designer.

She said: “His mental health issues started when he was 13, during the last two years of school.

”He was physically sick at the thought of going to school.

“He wanted to know what was the matter with him.

“He just wanted to be well.

“We tried to work with the school and GP in relation to the child and adolescent mental health team and they became involved in treatment and care for him.

“He passed his examinations despite said past and did so with some ease.

“He was just quiet and reserved and never caused any trouble to anybody.

“He never got the chance to live the life he could have lived.

"He would have if he got the help he needed.”                                                              He later received medication for this in November 2013, and subsequently the Bolton Community Mental Health team were assigned a care plan.

Dr Raj Dangi, one of the Consultant Psychiatrists, said: “Mr Bass suffered primarily from an anxiety disorder and social anxiety.

“He was on a conservative pathway of treatment and ongoing meetings.”

Shaun’s mental health was last reviewed in May 2019, with a further review to be done in six months’ time or sooner, although this was ‘not set in stone’.

Senor Coroner Timothy Brennand said that this was ‘too far away’.

Dr Raj added: “At the morning meetings, which were held on a daily basis, doctors, care co-ordinators or team members would come to me directly to discuss cases.

“And if we felt they need to be seen urgently, they would see patients in the same day.”

Donna says that during Christmas in 2019 that Shaun’s mental health ‘took a dive’, and that she was unable to reach the mental health support worker at the time, and that he was ‘not providing a continuity of care’.

Community Psychiatric Nurse Kelly Traynor said that there was a conversation with Donna where they offered to come and see Sean on February 22, but that Donna said she was going to his flat to check on him.

After another phone call from Donna, the mental health team sent an email, detailing the concerns raised about Sean’s mental health, but this was not able to be accessed until the next day due to ‘difficulties in the database’ and several power cuts.

Kelly told the court that there would be daily meetings with each of the teams where patients who were marked as urgent would be seen to, as well as those who already had arrangements.    

Team and Operations Manager Joanne Murphy said: “Since Sean’s very tragic death we have changed some of the ways we work.”                                                                 

Forensic toxicologist Julie Evans says that the toxicology report showed a number of prescribed medications were found but not at ‘excessive or deadly ranges’, along with the ‘controlled poison’.  

She said: "These levels combined and controlled has undoubtedly caused Shaun's death. "I have seen a cluster of these cases in Manchester, which contributed and brought about their deaths."

Detective Inspector Andrew Wright said in a statement that Sean’s mum Donna Hassan called police after being unable to reach Sean, following a note he had left outside. Recording a short form conclusion of suicide, Mr Brennand said: “What the evidence says to me is that there are a series of missed opportunities together with internal operation issues.

“It’s entirely possible that if Sean had the continuity of care and a mental health assessment review sooner it could have made a difference.

“Sean couldn’t have had a more caring and loving mother, and I don’t think there is anybody that did more than you did.

“The whole area of care has undergone an assessment to make sure that mental health practices are better supported.”                                                                                                               

If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also find support on their website here (www.samaritans.org).