Yahoo News 'Beautiful' primary school teacher told to 'find new hobby' before tragic death
A primary school teacher was told by a GP to 'find a new hobby' before she tragically took her own life following a battle with depression, an inquest heard.
Janet Ann Roberts sadly died after taking an overdose of prescribed medication, Lancs Live reports. The much-loved mum, described as 'beautiful inside and out', had suffered with mental health issues since being a teenager and had been prescribed anti-depressants.
The 57-year-old teacher was being supported by her husband Gary, and their two daughters Ashleigh and Claire, but in the weeks before her death her mood had worsened. In May this year, Janet went with her husband Gary to see Dr Dipankar Saha, who at the time was a trainee GP at Queensway Medical Centre.
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Janet described to the doctor how she was feeling worse and the GP increased her medication with a plan to review it in a few weeks' time. He also suggested she 'find a new hobby' her husband later said.
On July 3, Janet, from Thornton-Cleveleys, was alone at her home when Gary returned to find her collapsed on the floor and suffering from what he believed was a seizure. She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but sadly died the following day.
A post mortem revealed she died from taking an overdose of prescribed medication. An inquest held at Blackpool Town Hall heard that Janet's husband Gary had been critical of Dr Saha's consultation with his wife.
Gary said he felt it was 'wholly inappropriate' to suggest Janet take up a new hobby. Senior Coroner Alan Wilson recapped Dr Saha's evidence and said: "You considered the options and decided this wasn't a case to refer to secondary mental health services.
"She had denied any self-harm or having suicidal thoughts and you were conscious of people not giving you a true reflection of their symptoms." Janet's husband Gary said that, on the day Janet took an overdose, she 'wouldn't have been expecting anyone to come home until about 4pm or 5pm'.
The inquest heard that Janet had been in the process of switching to a different GP surgery in Thornton Cleveleys. She had an appointment booked which 'sadly was the day after she died' the coroner said.
In a statement, Janet's family described her as 'very clever and intelligent' and as someone who had 'an amazing sense of humour'. They added: "She was a beautiful person and very caring."
Returning a narrative conclusion the coroner said: "Concerns were raised by the family, understandably, that the GP could - and should - have done more. But it is very clear that this was not someone who should have been admitted to a mental health facility.
"I have reached the conclusion that it falls short of saying it was a failing. Some medical practitioners would have done the same; some may have done nothing, some may have increased her medication and some may have referred her. It comes down to clinical judgement."
After Janet's death friends and family posted tributes online and raised more than £600 in her memory for mental health charity Mind. Carole Langford wrote: "My world is less bright without Janet’s light to shine upon it. I will miss her always and love her forever, my best ever friend."
Another posted on Facebook: "A beautiful lady, inside and out, with such a witty sense of humour."
