A mother expressed profound grief after her 12-year-old daughter tragically ended her life while hospitalized. Mia Lucas, known for her joyful personality, passed away at a children’s mental health facility in Sheffield last January.
Following the heartbreaking incident, an inquiry revealed shortcomings in Mia’s care, leading her mother, Chloe Hayes, to express deep disappointment in the NHS for not meeting her daughter’s needs adequately.
Chloe, aged 33 and from Nottinghamshire, noticed significant changes in her daughter’s mental health shortly before her passing. She suspected an undiagnosed neurological condition overlooked during previous medical assessments.
The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for the mental health facility, conducted a comprehensive review and initiated corrective measures. Chloe recounted how Mia’s behavior drastically shifted from cheerful to physically aggressive towards the end of 2023.
Mia’s struggles began when she started secondary school, showing signs of unhappiness with her appearance and experiencing mood swings that ranged from extreme joy to inconsolable crying. On New Year’s Eve, she revealed hearing voices encouraging self-harm to her mother.
Subsequently, Mia’s behavior escalated to physical aggression, leading to her hospitalization at QMC for tests that diagnosed her with an ‘acute psychotic episode’. Despite medical intervention, Mia made several suicide attempts at Emerald Lodge before her tragic demise.
An internal investigation by SCFT highlighted deficiencies in Mia’s care, including lapses in observation procedures and poor communication among staff. Concerns raised by Mia’s family about her lack of outdoor access were not adequately addressed.
Chloe shared her anguish over losing a happy child in such devastating circumstances, emphasizing the need for proper treatment to prevent such a tragedy. An upcoming coroner’s hearing in November will scrutinize Mia’s death, focusing on potential autoimmune encephalitis missed during previous medical assessments.
Chloe believes Mia’s actions were influenced by her illness and asserts that with appropriate care, Mia could have been saved. She criticized the care provided at The Becton Centre for not addressing her concerns adequately.
Dr. Jeff Perring, from SCFT, expressed condolences to Mia’s family and pledged to improve care based on the review findings. Nottingham University Hospitals declined to comment on the matter.
For support, individuals can reach out to The Samaritans at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org. It’s essential to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.
