A grandmother from Cornwall died after falling from a multi-storey car park, an inquest has heard. Sharon Maria Little, 66, struggled with her mental health due to stresses in her personal life before her death on July 6 last year.
An inquest into her death held at Truro Coroner’s Court on Tuesday (January 28) heard that a post mortem examination concluded that Sharon died at Truro as a result of multiple injuries which were consistent with a fall from height. A toxicology report found that she had also taken what would have amounted to a lethal dose of medication.
In a statement read out on behalf of her daughter, Nicky Thomas, she described how Sharon had run an art shop in Falmouth in the 1980s before later training to become a mental health nurse and working at Bodmin Hospital for a number of years.
However, Sharon was dismissed following an incident at the hospital but later won an unfair dismissal hearing. The inquest heard that despite winning the case, it had “deeply affected her” and put strain on her mental health. Following this, Sharon began working at a care home but felt like she had lost her sense of purpose due to no longer being a mental health nurse.
It was also heard that she moved to the north of the country at the end of 2023 due to the housing crisis in Cornwall and it is thought that this is likely to have led to the downturn of her mental health.
However, the inquest heard that Sharon realised she had lost the support network after her move, so she came back to Cornwall in early 2024 and stayed with friends, moving between Redruth and Tiverton in Devon. At this time, she also had a number of stresses in her private life which were affecting her mental health.
A statement was then read out by Lauren Oliver, the manager of the NHS east home treatment team - a service which provides a high level of support to people in mental health crisis - at Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust. She described how Sharon was referred to the team in February 2024 after she reported having low mood, poor sleep, increased anxiety and was feeling suicidal.
Ms Oliver said that Sharon had expressed that she wanted to get better and was willing to work with the mental health service. Following a stay in hospital, she said her mood had improved but it dipped again having social issues.
Sharon had felt that psychological help would be beneficial, so a crisis bed at Oakleigh House mental health respite centre in Menheniott, near Liskeard, was arranged and she agreed to an admission there on June 7 last year.
After she was discharged from Oakleigh House on June 16, Ms Oliver said Sharon had said the placement had been beneficial but she still felt low in mood. When mental health practitioners visited her at a Premier Inn on June 24 it was heard that they had found a two-page letter in the bin which "described her situation better than she could” and said that they should “call the police before opening the bathroom door” as she had intended to take her life.
Sharon had a discussion with the practitioners following this, during which she requested to be detained under the Mental Health Act. However, it was deemed that this was not necessary as she was evidencing mental capacity relating to her mental health, care and treatment.
It was also said that she may find a ward distressing and increase her anxiety. Ms Oliver said Sharon had been distressed throughout the meeting but later recognised that the issues she had would not be resolved by hospital admission but would likely put a pause on them.
Where to get help and support
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Signposting
24/7 NHS Mental health response line: For support and advice. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help. t: (for Plymouth - 0800 923 9323 (free) 24 hours a day/ (for Cornwall - 0800 038 5300)
Samaritans: Emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. t: 116 123, 24-hours a day e: jo@samaritans.org
The NHS Talking therapies service (IAPT) provides free, confidential talking therapies for people aged 16 years and over experiencing common difficulties including low mood, stress, anxiety or worry. Call 01752 435419 in Plymouth to access, or call 01208 871905 in Cornwall.
The Suicide Liaison Service is available to support adults over the age of 18 years who have been bereaved by suicide. If you or someone you know would like to access this free service, call 01208 871 905
Man Down: supporting men's mental health in Cornwall - www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk
‘We are with you’ for support with alcohol, drugs or mental health call 01872 263001 or visit https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/cornwall-truro/.
Childline: Free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime. t: 0800 1111 email or chat via www.childline.org.uk
Shout: 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text: 85258
CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably: For men who are down or who need to talk, find information and support. t: 0800 58 58 58 5pm - midnight every day or webchat at www.thecalmzone.net
If you are a young person or worried about a child you can call the Early Help Hub for advice and help (call 01872 322277 or email earlyhelphub@cornwall.gov.uk).
Call 0300 777 4777 or visit https://saferfutures.org.uk/ if you or someone else is affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and those demonstrating abusive behaviours.
Sunrise runs safe and supportive events, workshops and activities for those affected by loss through suicide. Visit www.sunrisecornwall.org.uk or search Sunrise Cornwall on Facebook or Instagram
Papyrus Hopeline24/7 For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text HOPE to 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Andys Man Club offer safe non judgemental spaces where men can discuss their mental health or just get stuff off their chest. We meet every Monday 7-9pm (exc Bank Holidays) and have multiple locations in Devon - Plymouth City College, Plymouth Marjon University, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Exeter, Honiton, Torbay. For more information, please visit www.andysmanclub.co.uk.
On June 25, there was then a discussion about her ongoing treatment and it was agreed that her anxiety medication would be increased and she would be given medication to help her sleep. She also said she was happy for the home treatment team to have a meeting to arrange to move her treatment to the community mental health team.
The inquest then heard a statement on behalf of Rachel Craig, an occupational therapist and community mental health team member, who said that the day before Sharon died, she “seemed more positive and had a better plan going forward”.
She added that during the last call with Sharon, she seemed future focussed and was taking practical steps ahead of her move with a friend to Tiverton. She also reported feeling less anxious and there was nothing of concern.
In concluding the inquest, senior coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Andrew Cox said there was no evidence of third party involvement in Sharon’s death. He added that she had written two letters to her family members and had taken what would have amounted to a lethal dose of medication.
Mr Cox recorded a conclusion of suicide.
