Tina Jones and her family are campaigning for stricter mental health safeguarding after the loss of the much-loved 30-year-old
Steve and Tina Jones (pictured holding a photo of their son, Tyran) have called to changes to the mental health support system.
A devastated Birmingham couple said mental health patients were being “failed” by the NHS after they were told of their son’s death on Mother’s Day.
Tyran Jones, from Northfield, had struggled with mental health issues, linked to his autism, for ten years until he died at just 30 last month.
His family said he had made several attempts on his life and had pleaded to be sectioned for his own safety.
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Tyran’s parents Tina and Steve, said they felt he had been failed by a health system which did not properly respond to his cries for help.
They were at their caravan in Worcester when their other son Jamie called on Mother’s Day, March 30, to say he had been found dead at his flat.
Tyran Jones had battled mental health issues since the age of 14.
Tina said: “Tyran had autism, which comes with anxiety and depression. He was sectioned on November 18 last year at Queen Elizabeth Hospital but he came out in December.
“He had been admitted to a general medical ward and not a mental health one.”
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In his last week, Tyran was sent to The Oleaster, a mental health hospital in Edgbaston, after a referral from the Longbridge Mental Health crisis team.
His family said he was told he could ‘come in for a bit’ but he could not be admitted.
They claimed he was ‘placed in a corridor on his own’ and he responded by expressing a desire to go home. Steve was said to have begged the hospital to admit him but without success.
If you need support for your mental health the following resources are available
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to.
- Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- If U Care Share is a suicide prevention and postvention support charity. For free confidential text support text IUCS to 85258.
- James’ Place provide free, life-saving treatment for suicidal men, and those identifying as male. Men can refer themselves or be referred by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family
Tina said the hospital told the family he had self-discharged but she insisted he had been told to go as he could not be admitted.
She said Tyran told her he needed to sectioned under the Mental Health Act but claimed he was told he needed to go to A&E for help.
‘I wasn’t surprised when it happened’
The 56-year-old said: “The Oleaster and the QE said they didn’t think he needed to be sectioned.
“I wasn’t surprised when it happened, despite our grief.
“My son had the warnings but he never had the help. The health system is failing them.
“He should have got the support.”
‘I was told on Mother’s Day – I was angry with everyone’
Tina continued: “I was at the caravan in Worcester, 30 miles away. I had a call from Jamie.
“He was really unhappy. He kept asking for help and they weren’t helping him. That’s what I want changed.”
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Tyran Jones, from Northfield, suffered from autism, anxiety and depression.
Steve said the family had struggled to help Tyran for a decade.
The 58-year-old said: “In the last ten years it was absolute hell.
“We were all trying to get him on the right track. Ty was on the phone 24/7. We had no support. If only they had come out and had a chat.”
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‘He was a cool, funny guy until the mental health took over’
Asked what he was like, Tyran’s sister’s partner, Leon, said: “He was a gentle soul. You could speak to a thousand people who knew him and you would struggle to get anybody to say a bad word against him.
“He was a funny guy. He was a cool guy until the mental health took over.
“Before his mental health took over we were together every day. It has broken me.”
Tina said: “Everyone was seen to be doing something but all they were doing was passing paperwork around.
“We were going around in circles. He felt so alone. He felt he didn’t have any friends.
“We were his family and we were his friends as well.
“I’m dedicated to get this out there. Dedicated to help someone else.”
The family has started a Change.org petition calling for stricter mental health safeguarding.
They said Tyran’s death was caused by a failure in the system that calls to social services, South Birmingham Crisis Team, Longbridge Mental Health and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital had not picked up and acted upon.
Tina and Steve Jones have started a petition calling for better mental health safeguarding following the death of their son, Tyran.
The Longbridge Crisis Team and the Oleaster hospital are part of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
A Trust spokesman said: “We would like to express our sympathy to Tyran’s family and friends as they deal with their loss.
“We have launched an investigation into any contacts we may have had with Tyran prior to his passing and will fully assist any potential inquest, should that be required.
“Our thoughts are with Tyran’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
A spokesman for University Hospitals Birmingham, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Tyran’s family at this immensely difficult time.
“We have extended an offer of support to answer any questions Tyran’s family may have.”