Bereaved parents of 'kind' teenager Matthew Lock warn of ADHD and suicide links
ITV Granada Reports' correspondent Rob Smith has been speaking the parents of Matthew Lock.
The family of a teenager who took his own life say it "kills them everyday" that they did not understand his "busy mind", as they issue a stark warning about the increased risks of addiction and suicide connected to ADHD.
The parents of 19-year-old Matthew Lock say their son was an "incredible individual" who "wanted to make a change", but he struggled with the symptoms of his diagnosis before his death in 2023.
They say Matthew, who appeared on ITV's This Morning as a technology reviewer, used alcohol and ketamine to try to ease his ADHD symptoms because medication did not agree with him.
Richard and Christine Lock believe ADHD caused Matthew, who also had autism, to make an "impulsive" decision to take his own life, because he was "unable to regulate his emotions at certain times".
"We know Matthew's decision was an impulse," Christine said. "We know he would want us to help stop others from making impulsive acts, causing devastation to families."
What is ADHD and what are the symptoms?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Around 1 in 20 children are estimated to be impacted by ADHD globally and, according to the NHS, symptoms of usually start before the age of 12.
They involve a person's ability to pay attention to things, having high energy levels, and their ability to control their impulses.
A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as:
being easily distracted
finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions
forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks
They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:
having high energy levels
fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet
talking noisily
feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they're supposed to sit still
finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations
His parents believe his death is directly linked to ADHD and are now part of an NHS task force trying to speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and raise awareness of its potential route to addiction and mental illness.
The task force is also looking to improve NHS data and analyses on ADHD services, map out who provides ADHD services and how they are commissioned locally, and improving the way services are delivered.
"It's very important that we make those changes in Matthew's name", Richard said. "ADHD can be an absolute superpower. They can think outside the box and be so creative.
"We saw that superpower from Matthew, but the other side started to take over. That's the bit we didn't know about and that's what kills us everyday."
Matthew's parents say they regret not understanding ADHD in more depth before their son's death and have urged other parents in a similar position to know the signs.
Christine added: "It's the head full of thoughts and busy mind that you can't calm. I think going out and drinking did calm him.
"It's understanding. Once you understand the ADHD brain, it's a fantastic. But if it's not understood it can cause problems."
Speaking in March 2024, when the task force was announced, NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said: "We have recognised that that more needs to be done to ensure people can get a timely diagnosis and importantly, that all of their needs are addressed.
"This is a vital first step in helping us achieve real improvements in the ADHD services that the NHS and the independent sector provides.'
Matthew's parents have also setup their own ADHD charity, dedicated to "education and raising awareness" as well as trying to ensure people are diagnosed and treated earlier in their lives.
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