'We fought and fought': Parents of Sunderland mum tell inquest of their fight for help for their daughter's mental health troubles

The parents of a Sunderland mum who died after a history of mental health problems told an inquest of how they battled to try and get her the help she needed.
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Melissa Dominique Lee, 26, from Plains Farm, had a happy childhood but started to get ill from around 19 and was diagnosed with a personality disorder, with a number of traumatic experiences impacting on her wellbeing.

Her caring nature led the devoted mum-of-one to to enroll in a nursing course, but her own issues meant she was unable to continue.

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She overdosed on a number of occasions after taking substances to block out her distress.

The inquest was heard in the council chamber of Sunderland Civic Centre.The inquest was heard in the council chamber of Sunderland Civic Centre.
The inquest was heard in the council chamber of Sunderland Civic Centre.
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At an inquest into her death at Sunderland Civic Centre, her parents Jeffrey and Rhoda paid tribute, describing her as a “beautiful, strong and intelligent woman – if it wasn’t for her illness she would have had a bright future ahead”.

Her mother raised concerns about her care, including assessments following overdoses, as they did not lead to a progression in treatment.

Her family agreed with Melissa she needed a residential placement and felt “rejected and abandoned” when that was turned down.

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Mrs Lee said: “I fought and I fought and I had to stop my job to try and take care of Melissa.

"I feel Melissa’s heart was broken bit by bit, destroyed, and it tarnished our trust in everything, in humanity.”

Her dad spoke of his “lovely girl” who he hoped to walk down the aisle.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Sunderland Royal Hospital believed her best chance of recovery was in the community, with a change from a chronic to acute condition needed for a placement.

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Assistant coroner Karin Welsh recorded a conclusion of misadventure, saying she could not be sure the drugs in Melissa’s system after her death in March 2016 had been taken with the intention of ending her life.

Both parents agreed she did not intend that outcome – Mrs Lee in particular was praised by Ms Welsh for her dedication in supporting their daughter.

The coroner added she did not have concerns about Melissa’s care, but highlighted an issue in communication and an uncompleted report.

She acknowledged the differing views of the care workers and her family adding “but that does not make one wrong and one right.”

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