THE “broken” family of a man who committed suicide has hit out after only finding out after his death that he told a therapist of his intentions earlier that day.

Connor Still was found hanged on farmland near West Cliff Hall care home in Dibden, hours after telling mental health services he was going to kill himself.

The 20-year-old window fitter told an occupational therapist at Totton-based Anchor House in a phone call that he could not see a future for himself and that he intended to end his life.

He was given an emergency appointment but within hours went missing and was later found dead.

Connor’s mother Andrea Still said Anchor House told the family about his appointment, but not that he said he was going to kill himself.

She said that if she had been told he may still be alive. She said: “If a person calls the mental health team and tells them they are going to kill themselves, they should inform the family.

“If I had known Connor had told someone he was planning to kill himself I would never have let him leave my side.”

His father Jerry’s partner Linda Perry discovered Mr Still’s body. She told the coroner’s court: “We didn’t realise how bad he was. I never thought in a million years he would do something like this.

“He fought so hard to be positive. He had so much going for him, I used to think if only he could look at himself from the outside. He just seemed so low and so sad. We just couldn’t help him.”

A report from GP Jonathan Kenrick said the former Hardley School pupil, of West Cliff Walk, Hythe, had a history of anxiety and depression, and had been referred to the team at Anchor House due to his suicidal thoughts.

Coroner Grahame Short concluded that Mr Still’s death in September was the result of suicide.

After the inquest his family paid tribute in statement: “Connor was lovely, kind and easy going. He was popular and a very good golfer when he was younger.

“He enjoyed life without his depression. He didn’t deserve to go. We are broken.”

Dr Cory De Wet, clinical service director for mental health, said in a statement after the inquest: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Mr Still’s family at this distressing and difficult time.

“I fully understand the concerns about whether Mr Still’s family should have been informed about his feelings.

“Our staff work hard to assess risk and agree a balanced response with each patient, taking into account their wishes about confidentiality.

“After a conversation with Mr Still we agreed an urgent same day appointment would provide the support he needed. If there had been any problems with the appointment then his family, police or others would have been informed and the concerns escalated.

“The coroner was satisfied appropriate arrangements had been put in place for Mr Still, but we always carefully review the care we provide to see if there’s anything we could have done differently.”