THE family of a “beautiful” girl who took her own life say more could have been done to support her.

Jodie Jose, 22, was found in her car at Great Bentley railway station in the early hours of Saturday, March 5, 2016.

She had been reported missing on the Friday night by her family.

After being found, she was taken to Colchester General Hospital, where she died from carbon monoxide poisoning. An inquest heard Jodie had a medical history of depression.

Her family believe Jodie, a bank cashier who moved to Colchester shortly before she died, should have been given regular follow- up appointments by her GP and counsellors.

This need for support is something that has been reiterated by others who have experienced the same struggle.

Betty Jose, Jodie’s mum, said she was first aware of Jodie’s feelings in November 2015.

She said: “We took Jodie to the doctors as she was very distressed and had wanted to harm herself, she had left a suicide note which I showed the doctor.

“This all came out off the blue, we had no clue until then that she felt the way she did.

“The doctor prescribed anti- depressants and referred her on to a mental health team, we were given an appointment for the next day and they assessed her for 30 minutes.”

She said after the short assessment at The Lakes there was no contact or follow-up meeting offered to Jodie. Following her assessment she went back to the doctor and was signed off work at Santander, in Sudbury, for a week.

Months later Jodie had asked her mum to pick up some more tablets for her, which Betty did, and she assumed her daughter then had enough tablets to last her.

A few days later she was found at the station.

Her mum said: “Maybe [there should have been] regular follow- ups in place for her to voice if she felt medication was helping, and give ideas for other ways to help her, maybe information about support groups in her age bracket and support and advice for families on how best to help someone struggling.”

She and Jodie’s older sister, Stacey, said it was crucial to get more regular assessments and follow-up appointments in place. They stressed they were not blaming anyone for what happened, but say it is important to raise awareness of support in the early stages.

Betty said: “[They should be] at least once a week with family members involved, to discuss progress and different ideas that may help that person cope better.

“It’s the not knowing if she’d had, and we had had, a bit more professional help in place - would she have learned to cope better?

“Maybe she would still be here, that will always be unanswered.”

Her sister Stacey, who lives in Stanway, said the family is now part of a support group for those who have lost loved ones through suicide.

She felt they should have been made aware of groups like this in the early stages.

The 27-year-old said: “When we went to the doctors the only thing that was offered was anti-depressants.

“It wasn’t very well explained, we just took the doctor’s word for it, but since then we have found out a lot of things about how people can go downhill after taking tablets.

“Had they followed up with her they could have tried something else. There is no after care, and in terms of support we didn’t get anything.

“You need a professional to give that to you and it’s only after something happens you find out about the support groups.

“She was having counselling but she was still going out and seeing friends, we didn’t know any different. We were completely naive to it, we just thought she was a little bit low.”

Family and friends are organising a memorial ball for Jodie on September 9.

As well as having a chance to remember Jodie, the evening is being organised to raise the profile of mental health problems.

A Facebook page advertising the event states: “We are holding this ball not only in memory of our lovely Jodie but also to raise awareness and funds for Papyrus who support the prevention of suicide in the young.

“We want to do all we can to support other people going through what Jodie went through and to stop families having to feel the heartbreak we have.”

The night at the Stoke by Nayland Golf Club will include dinner and entertainment. Visit Jodie Jose memorial ball, fundraising for Papyrus on Facebook.

Gazette:

A CHARITY supporting people with mental health issues has said it is essential they have access to the right support.

Mind, based in Colchester,believes no one should have to face a mental health problem alone.

The charity works with children from the age of five but supports people of all ages.

A spokesman for the charity said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of this young lady.

“Learning that someone close to you is thinking about taking their own life is upsetting and it is completely understandable to feel frightened and shocked.

“It is essential that when people do seek help they get the support

they need before they reach the point of taking their own life.

“Due to the enormous pressure non healthcare services and the recent funding cuts we know often people aren’t getting access to the right support when they need it.”

Mid and North Essex Mind provides mental health services  across the area for children, young people and adults. The charity is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

It offers services such as a ‘walk and talk’ where anyone feeling lonely or depressed can get out of their houses into the fresh air.

If anyone is concerned about someone who is feeling suicidal,  the charity has urged readers to contact them to receive a guide to supporting a mental health patient.

To get one, call 01206 764600.

If a loved one is at immediate risk, contact a GP or call the Samaritans on 116 123.