Latest news with #Immy
Metro
24-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Deaf woman, 25, who took her own life was 'failed' by mental health services
Imogen Nunn took her own life in 2023 (Picture: PA) A deaf woman took her own life after ingesting chemicals she bought online despite telling a nurse she planned to kill herself. Imogen Nunn, 25, had struggled with her mental health since she was 13. She used her TikTok and other social media accounts to raise awareness of deafness and mental health, which gained more than 780,000 followers. But she took her own life on New Year's Day 2023 – and despite telling a nurse she had bought chemicals to use in suicide, proper safeguarding measures weren't put in place. Paying tribute, her mum Louise said: 'Immy was our rainbow – she would make you feel so special whenever she was around and her heart was filled only with love.' An inquest into Imogen's death concluded there had been 'a failure by the mental health services' to manager her risk following an earlier suicide attempt in October 2022. Imogen raised awareness of deafness and mental health to her 780,000 followers on social media (Picture: Leigh Day Solicitors/PA Wire) Senior coroner Penelope Schofield added there was a 'failing to put in place safeguarding measures following being advised that Immy had accessed the pro-suicide website and disclosed that she had purchased chemicals to use in suicide, and failing to have a face-to-face appointment with Immy on December 30, 2022, to assess her risk'. Imogen ordered a lethal chemical substance online on November 14, and it arrived on November 21. She told her support worker at the deaf adult community team on November 23 and told them she had 'bought something online that she planned to take to end her life'. But the inquest at West Sussex coroner's court in Horsham heard that while police were called and they visited Imogen's home, no long-term changes were made to her care plan. Three days before her death Imogen received a check-in visit at her home from care professionals, after sending a text saying she was increasingly having suicidal thoughts. She had also sent a message to her therapist saying 'I want to be admitted to hospital I can't keep myself safe'. But no BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter was taken to the meeting because there wasn't enough time to arrange one – and Imogen's inquest had to be postponed for two months because there weren't any BSL interpreters available to translate for two deaf witnesses. She told a support worker she intended to take her own life (Picture: Leigh Day Solicitors/PA Wire) Ms Schofield said: 'This is on a background of systemic, longstanding and well-documented challenges in the provision of mental health for deaf patients, with particular emphasis on the national shortage of BSL interpreters and the difficulty this presents for patients to be able to communicate their distress when their mental health is deteriorating or they are in crisis.' The coroner also said there were 'discrepancies' in note keeping from Imogen's care co-ordinator Ray McCullagh – but while these showed a failure in care, they didn't undermine the therapeutic relationship, she said. An expert from the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) told the inquest that failing to provide proper translation for deaf people could be a breach of human rights. Need support? For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@ visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website. Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@ Ms Schofield agreed and found an 'arguable breach' of Article Two of the Human Rights Act, adding: 'Immy's death underscores these systemic challenges.' Ms Schofield said she will write to the cabinet office, the Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care about these issues. The coroner thanked Imogen's family for the 'dignity' they showed throughout the inquest process, adding: 'Hopefully some good will come out of this and people will listen and changes can be put into place.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: What are Labubu dolls and why are grown men brawling over them? Arrow MORE: Officer who used pepper spray on amputee, 92, 'didn't see he was disabled' Arrow MORE: I shared my lowest moments on my Instagram story — I don't regret it
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Deaf TikTok star died after ‘failure' by mental health services, inquest finds
Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023, having struggled with her mental health since she was 13. Ms Nunn, who was born deaf, raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues on her social media accounts, which attracted more than 780,000 followers. On Friday, the inquest at West Sussex Coroner's Court in Horsham, heard that proper safeguarding measures were not put in place after Ms Nunn told a nurse she had bought chemicals for use in suicide. Senior coroner Penelope Schofield said: 'There was a failure by the mental health services to manage her risk by failing to review her care plan following a suicide attempt in October 2022. 'Failing to put in place safeguarding measures following being advised that Immy had accessed the pro-suicide website and disclosed that she had purchased chemicals to use in suicide, and failing to have a face-to-face appointment with Immy on December 30 2022 to assess her risk.' The coroner also underlined a backdrop of 'systemic challenges' with the number of British Sign Language interpreters across various UK industries and has indicated she will be writing to multiple government departments. The coroner said: 'This is on a background of systemic, longstanding and well-documented challenges in the provision of mental health for deaf patients, with particular emphasis on the national shortage of BSL interpreters and the difficulty this presents for patients to be able to communicate their distress when their mental health is deteriorating or they are in crisis.' An expert from the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) earlier told the inquest that failing to provide proper translation for deaf people could amount to a breach of human rights. In light of this, Ms Schofield found an 'arguable breach' of Article Two, and has commissioned a second 'prevention of future deaths' report. 'Immy's death underscores these systemic challenges,' she added. The court previously heard Ms Nunn ordered a lethal chemical substance online on November 14, which was delivered to her home address on November 21. She had contacted her support worker at the deaf adult community team on November 23 and told them she had 'bought something online that she planned to take to end her life'. While the police were contacted, and they visited Ms Nunn's address, no long-term changes were made to her care plan, the inquest heard. Three days before Ms Nunn's death, on December 29 2022, Ms Nunn received a check-in visit at her home from care professionals, after sending a text message saying she had had an increase in suicidal thoughts. She had also sent a message to her therapist saying 'I want to be admitted to hospital I can't keep myself safe', the same day. No BSL interpreter was taken to the meeting as there was not sufficient time to arrange one. The inquest into Ms Nunn's death had to be adjourned for two months because there were no BSL interpreters available to translate for two deaf witnesses in March. The coroner also noted 'discrepancies' in the note keeping from Ms Nunn's care co-ordinator Ray McCullagh. Ms Schofield said: 'There were issues around the lack of record keeping from nurse McCullagh. 'I am not going to address each of the occasions where it appears there has been a discrepancy The discrepancies showed a failure in care, but did not undermine the therapeutic relationship in Ms Nunn's case, the inquest heard. Ms Schofield has proposed to write to the cabinet office, the Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care about the 'systemic' issues underlined by the inquest. The coroner thanked Ms Nunn's family for the 'dignity' they showed throughout the process. 'Hopefully some good will come out of this and people will listen and changes can be put into place,' she said. Remembering her daughter, Louise Nunn said: 'Immy was our rainbow – she would make you feel so special whenever she was around and her heart was filled only with love.'
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Deaf TikTok star's death was ‘avoidable' says family
Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023. On Friday, following the conclusion of Miss Nunn's inquest at West Sussex Coroners Court, her mother said she hopes 'vital lessons' can be learned from her daughter's death. Louise Nunn said: 'Immy was our rainbow – she would make you feel so special whenever she was around and her heart was filled only with love. 'We welcome the coroner's findings, and hope that the agencies concerned can learn vital lessons from what happened to Immy to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain that we have endured. 'We believe Immy's death was avoidable and that there were several opportunities to help her, which were missed by those entrusted with her care. 'We believe that had appropriate actions been taken after the many times Immy asked the care professionals she trusted for help, she would still be alive today. 'It is clear to us that Immy didn't want to die and was, in fact, calling out for and trying her best to get help. But in the end, after fighting for so long for support, she was simply too exhausted to carry on.' Miss Nunn ran a TikTok account that had amassed more than 780,000 followers, where she raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues. After her death, her followers sent 'thousands' of messages about how she had helped them with their own problems and in some cases saved their lives, her family said. 'Whilst nothing can ever heal the pain of losing Immy, we take comfort in the knowledge that she was able to help so many others facing similar struggles to her. 'We believe this will be a lasting legacy for our beautiful Immy who will always be with us in our hearts,' her mother said. They added that it was 'bitterly disappointing' for her family when the inquest was delayed due to a lack of British Sign Language interpreters. Family solicitor Caleb Bawdon said: 'To have had their daughter's inquest disrupted by the very same issue Immy repeatedly faced herself, has been bitterly disappointing and upsetting for her family.' They have called for government ministries to act in light of the coroner's findings on Friday.
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Deaf TikTok star's death was ‘avoidable' says family
Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023. On Friday, following the conclusion of Miss Nunn's inquest at West Sussex Coroners Court, her mother said she hopes 'vital lessons' can be learned from her daughter's death. Louise Nunn said: 'Immy was our rainbow – she would make you feel so special whenever she was around and her heart was filled only with love. 'We welcome the coroner's findings, and hope that the agencies concerned can learn vital lessons from what happened to Immy to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain that we have endured. 'We believe Immy's death was avoidable and that there were several opportunities to help her, which were missed by those entrusted with her care. 'We believe that had appropriate actions been taken after the many times Immy asked the care professionals she trusted for help, she would still be alive today. 'It is clear to us that Immy didn't want to die and was, in fact, calling out for and trying her best to get help. But in the end, after fighting for so long for support, she was simply too exhausted to carry on.' Miss Nunn ran a TikTok account that had amassed more than 780,000 followers, where she raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues. After her death, her followers sent 'thousands' of messages about how she had helped them with their own problems and in some cases saved their lives, her family said. 'Whilst nothing can ever heal the pain of losing Immy, we take comfort in the knowledge that she was able to help so many others facing similar struggles to her. 'We believe this will be a lasting legacy for our beautiful Immy who will always be with us in our hearts,' her mother said. They added that it was 'bitterly disappointing' for her family when the inquest was delayed due to a lack of British Sign Language interpreters. Family solicitor Caleb Bawdon said: 'To have had their daughter's inquest disrupted by the very same issue Immy repeatedly faced herself, has been bitterly disappointing and upsetting for her family.' They have called for government ministries to act in light of the coroner's findings on Friday.
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Deaf TikTok star died after ‘failure' by mental health services, inquest finds
Imogen Nunn, 25, died in Brighton, East Sussex, on New Year's Day 2023, having struggled with her mental health since she was 13. Ms Nunn, who was born deaf, raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues on her social media accounts, which attracted more than 780,000 followers. On Friday, the inquest at West Sussex Coroner's Court in Horsham, heard that proper safeguarding measures were not put in place after Ms Nunn told a nurse she had bought chemicals for use in suicide. Senior coroner Penelope Schofield said: 'There was a failure by the mental health services to manage her risk by failing to review her care plan following a suicide attempt in October 2022. 'Failing to put in place safeguarding measures following being advised that Immy had accessed the pro-suicide website and disclosed that she had purchased chemicals to use in suicide, and failing to have a face-to-face appointment with Immy on December 30 2022 to assess her risk.' The coroner also underlined a backdrop of 'systemic challenges' with the number of British Sign Language interpreters across various UK industries and has indicated she will be writing to multiple government departments. The coroner said: 'This is on a background of systemic, longstanding and well-documented challenges in the provision of mental health for deaf patients, with particular emphasis on the national shortage of BSL interpreters and the difficulty this presents for patients to be able to communicate their distress when their mental health is deteriorating or they are in crisis.' An expert from the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) earlier told the inquest that failing to provide proper translation for deaf people could amount to a breach of human rights. In light of this, Ms Schofield found an 'arguable breach' of Article Two, and has commissioned a second 'prevention of future deaths' report. 'Immy's death underscores these systemic challenges,' she added. The court previously heard Ms Nunn ordered a lethal chemical substance online on November 14, which was delivered to her home address on November 21. She had contacted her support worker at the deaf adult community team on November 23 and told them she had 'bought something online that she planned to take to end her life'. While the police were contacted, and they visited Ms Nunn's address, no long-term changes were made to her care plan, the inquest heard. Three days before Ms Nunn's death, on December 29 2022, Ms Nunn received a check-in visit at her home from care professionals, after sending a text message saying she had had an increase in suicidal thoughts. She had also sent a message to her therapist saying 'I want to be admitted to hospital I can't keep myself safe', the same day. No BSL interpreter was taken to the meeting as there was not sufficient time to arrange one. The inquest into Ms Nunn's death had to be adjourned for two months because there were no BSL interpreters available to translate for two deaf witnesses in March. The coroner also noted 'discrepancies' in the note keeping from Ms Nunn's care co-ordinator Ray McCullagh. Ms Schofield said: 'There were issues around the lack of record keeping from nurse McCullagh. 'I am not going to address each of the occasions where it appears there has been a discrepancy The discrepancies showed a failure in care, but did not undermine the therapeutic relationship in Ms Nunn's case, the inquest heard. Ms Schofield has proposed to write to the cabinet office, the Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care about the 'systemic' issues underlined by the inquest. The coroner thanked Ms Nunn's family for the 'dignity' they showed throughout the process. 'Hopefully some good will come out of this and people will listen and changes can be put into place,' she said. Remembering her daughter, Louise Nunn said: 'Immy was our rainbow – she would make you feel so special whenever she was around and her heart was filled only with love.'
