Spokespeople for both Mersey Care and Stopgate Medical Centre said they do not comment on individual cases but passed on their condolences to Layla’s family
Layla Owens died in January 2025(Image: Supplied)
The family of a woman who took her own life say she was “failed” by the system. Layla Owens, a 28-year-old from Fazakerley, died on January 12 2025.
Layla was known for her acts of generosity and kindness. But she also had mental health problems and had made two previous attempts to take her own life.
At Bolton Coroner’s Court on April 14, an inquest found that Layla was diagnosed with Bipolar I in 2021 and sectioned. After her condition improved, Layla was moved to primary care in June 2023.
The coroner found Layla’s compliance with her prescribed medication was variable and the stability of her mood generally corresponded with her medication adherence.
Following a downturn in her mental health in October 2024, Layla contacted Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and her GP. Layla was living in Salford at the time but was still registered at Stopgate Medical Centre in Walton.
She underwent a period of self-directed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (‘CBT’) between November 1 2024 and December 3 2024, when she discharged herself.
Layla reported compliance with her medication and stable mood in an appointment with a mental health practitioner on December 19 2024.
She did not report any symptoms indicating that she was at increased risk or may be entering an unstable phase between December 19 2024 and the time of her death. The record of inquest did not include any criticism of the care Layla received.
But Layla’s sister Jessica and mum Anne claim opportunities were missed to support Layla as she began to struggle in the latter half of 2024. Despite triage notes arguing that Layla should be placed in secondary care, she remained in primary, receiving online talking therapies and check-ups.
The decision was made to not refer Layla to secondary care, instead putting her into primary care. The family say this was due to a previous instance in the summer of 2021 when she wasn’t taking her medication. The family say she was just adjusting to the medication and after that she adhered to the medication as well as working full-time.
Layla’s mum, Anne Owens, and sister, Jessica Owens, believe if Layla was referred to secondary care and was given greater support, she would still be alive now.
Spokespeople for both Mersey Care and Stopgate Medical Centre said they do not comment on individual cases but passed on their condolences to Layla’s family.
Speaking to the ECHO, Anne, 58, said: ”On October 6, I received a text from Layla and we were going back and forward. Layla was concerned about a low mood. She said it had potential to go bad and she also was thinking about voluntary sectioning herself.
“I advised Layla to call the crisis team because she felt like she might be in a mixed episode. So she called the crisis team, the CMHT on October 6.”
Anne says Layla told the service that her mental health “was in decline”, with poor sleep and her diet had reduced. The following day, Layla attended an in-person appointment with her GP at the Stopgate Lane medical practice.
Anne says: “She tells [the GP] that she feels very depressed and that she would like a sickness note, so she feels very unwell and cannot go to work.
“[The GP] then tells her that because she has makeup on and she looks presentable, she’s not depressed, that she has anxiety. [The GP] then tells her that they will give her the two week note. She then informs the doctor that she’s actually bipolar I medication and that she is depressed.
“[The GP] sends her on her way. Layla’s now left and in a depressive decline until she receives information that she’s been declined by the CMHT, and she’s been sent back to primary care as a bipolar I patient without any secondary care plans in place on October 30.”
Layla said she was feeling restless, with low energy, low mood, and a poor appetite. She added that she was spending more time at home withdrawing and had “negative thoughts about the future”. During this period, Layla was seen in-person on two occasions, both at her GP. Her CBT sessions were conducted entirely online.
Anne said: “At this point, she was not referred back to secondary care. There were no red flags or alarm bells. She was then given the option to have the CBT therapy once a week online so that she did a biopsy psychosocial screening and Layla scored 20, which is severe depression, and 11 for anxiety.
Layla was a teacher for period before working in a law firm(Image: Supplied)
“At no point was she still referred back, given that she’s had two suicide attempts previously. They didn’t challenge her, which is against their policies. They allowed her to discharge herself knowing what they knew about her.”
Anne and Jessica say they were left in the dark about how Layla was feeling by Mersey Care and believe the trust are prioritising primary care over supporting people like Layla who need secondary care.
Jessica, 26, added: “It’s like they discarded all of that progress that she’d made and went back to 2022 just to cut costs and keep her out of it.
“She was there and they could have done something and now she’s not here. That’s just wrong. She came home for Christmas though (in 2024), we were watching Disney movies in bed.
“We went to the Christmas markets and she had a smile on her face on Christmas Day. We went to Crosby Beach, walked the dog. I watched her taking her medication over Christmas.
“If I would’ve known all of this, what they’d have known, I would’ve done more than that. I gave them my number as a next of kin, but no-one ever contacted me. I think as well, to reach out to so many different professionals in such a short period of time, it’s a massive indicator of how not well she is.”
Anne said: ”How can you take somebody’s way to discharge themselves when they’re bipolar and they’re not rational?
“The bottom line for me is this: I’m not a practitioner and I would do anything and I have done everything to protect Layla had they done their bit at the time.
“She tried so hard to conform, to put her makeup on, to tell herself that she can do this, that she actually shot herself in the foot. Because if you are not going in looking unkempt or unwashed and not waking and having sickness certificates, you’re not taken seriously at all.”
A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “We are aware of comments made by the family of Layla Owens following the conclusion to her inquest and our thoughts go out to them, her friends and loved ones at this difficult time.
“While we are unable to comment on individual patients because of rules governing patient confidentiality, we fully co-operated with the coroner’s investigation which determined that the care provided by Mersey Care was appropriate.
“We remain committed to learning and strive for continuous improvement and will review our practices and work with other organisations to enhance communication, support care planning and partnership working.”
A spokesperson for Stopgate Lane Medical Centre medical practice said: “While we are unable to comment on the circumstances relating to individual patients, our thoughts remain with Layla’s family, friends and loved ones.”
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) 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.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- 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 an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity 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.
- Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
- The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
- James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/