Nicole Kaye, a student at Sheffield Hallam University, needed “intensive therapy” to help her psychosis, a court in Oxford heard
By Charlie Maloney
A student hanged herself after she found she would have to wait up to a year to access NHS mental health services, an inquest heard yesterday.
Nicole Kaye, 21, had been put on the lengthy NHS waiting list to access “intensive therapy” in an attempt to help her psychosis – even though she had been flagged as a #suicide risk.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust told her inquest it was only able to work “with the resources that we have”.
However, Ms Kaye was found hanged in a cupboard at her parents’ home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, soon after finding out about the wait.
“It is very unfortunate that it was not able to be started straightaway. It took four months for the assessment to take place, but we were with the resources that we have,” Dr Daniel Maughan, a consultant psychiatrist from the Warneford Hospital in Oxford, said.
And Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, concluded a verdict of #suicide.
He said: “The correct conclusion is #suicide, on the basis that Nicole did the act, on the balance of probabilities at least.
“If the trust could write to me on what the position is regarding that treatment, I think it might be helpful for families as well to have a note of what the position is going forward. It would be helpful and reassuring to understand if there is a prospect of funds becoming available.”
Ms Kaye, who studied fine arts at Sheffield Hallam University, was highlighted as a #suicide risk when she went missing in August last year. She was detained under the Mental Health Act.
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Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
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The inquest was told concerns were raised that Ms Kaye had misinterpreted research about the potential withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking cannabis.
It is believed the part-time florist may have started smoking the drug again shortly before her death in the hope of becoming well.
But cleaners at her parents home found her dead on February 21 this year.
Dr Daniel Maughan added: “I am very concerned about our lack of psychological provision and, unfortunately, we haven’t been successful in getting funds for more psychologists, so the waiting list remains a year.”
However, he said it was “speculative” whether Ms Kaye receiving intensive therapy would have helped her in time, as it can take months for patients to improve. Ms Kaye was considered at low risk of #suicide at her previous assessment.
Ms Kaye’s mum Caroline, from Henley-on-Thames, described her daughter as a “talented artist”, who was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and raised in Wokingham, Berkshire.
“I am not sure if I should say this… It is to do with balance of the medication she was on, so the response was there might have been a relapse if she is given too much of the antidepressant drugs. However, in light of this case, she may well have been alive if she got more of the antidepressants,” Caroline told the hearing.
“The other point is, she never actually got the chance to experience or get help from cognitive behavioural therapy, so it is all subjective as to how much it would have helped. She never got the chance.”
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust had provided a “reasonable level of care” for Ms Kaye, the court in Oxford heard, but reviews are now in place.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
