Trainee Paramedic’s Struggle for Mental Health Support Ends in Tragedy
A promising trainee paramedic, Rebecca McLellan, is believed to have taken her own life after facing significant hurdles in accessing crucial mental health support. The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, allegedly experienced a distressing lack of assistance from mental health services despite her desperate pleas. An inquest into her death, which began recently, has heard harrowing details of her final months.
Miss McLellan, described by her mother as a “sunny child” who was always happy and content, had a dream of becoming a paramedic. Her journey towards this goal, however, was overshadowed by her battle with mental health. An experience of bullying in her younger years had instilled in her a fierce loyalty and a strong sense of justice, often leading her to speak up for those treated unfairly.
Her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a condition characterised by extreme mood swings, manic episodes, and periods of low energy or depression, profoundly impacted her life. Her mother, Natalie McLellan, shared with the coroner how her daughter became a “shadow of herself” in the year leading up to her death.
Early in her struggle, Miss McLellan received support from a psychotherapist through her work with the East of England Ambulance Service. The therapist, Darren Monsigneur, who conducted 18 sessions with her, became so concerned about her well-being that he offered additional sessions free of charge. He considered her to be at “high risk” of self-harm, although Miss McLellan herself reportedly denied this at the time. She also had several sessions with a consultant psychiatrist in the months preceding her death.
Despite these initial supports, Miss McLellan’s frustration grew as she found it increasingly difficult to secure ongoing mental health care. In a poignant statement written before her death, she expressed her deep disappointment, claiming she was “not once” contacted by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), the designated mental health service provider in her area, despite repeatedly reaching out for help.
Her GP eventually contacted the trust on her behalf, leading to a promise of an appointment, which, according to Miss McLellan, never materialised. This lack of progress pushed her to a point of desperation. Around two months before her passing, she visited the NSFT clinic near her home in Ipswich, determined to speak with a mental health practitioner.
However, her plea for immediate assistance was met with a cold response. A receptionist reportedly apologised, stating no one was available that afternoon, and then issued a stark warning: police or security would be called if she refused to leave. This encounter left Miss McLellan feeling abandoned and unheard, exacerbating her already fragile mental state.
In a final note to her loved ones, read aloud at the inquest, Miss McLellan articulated her profound despair. She wrote, “People can survive pretty much everything as long as they can see an end in sight. Unfortunately for me, I cannot. All I can do is wait for the inevitable fall again.” She also expressed her deep love and gratitude for her family and friends, stating, “I know there are those out there who love me, and to those people I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all tremendously. Please know that I tried. I really did.”
Miss McLellan was found deceased at her flat on November 20, 2023, after colleagues raised concerns when she failed to report for work. The inquest, a three-day hearing, is still ongoing, and the official cause of death has not yet been revealed, though it is widely believed she died by suicide.
Her mother has been vocal in her criticism, stating that the mental health trust “let my daughter down” and that her daughter encountered a “complete lack of empathy.” She recounted the clinic visit, emphasising that her daughter was willing to travel anywhere in Norfolk or Suffolk to receive help that day, only to be turned away and threatened with police intervention.
The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has a concerning track record, having been rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission on four occasions over the past nine years. In response to Miss McLellan’s death, the trust issued a statement confirming they were investigating the matter. They stated that “Learning from this investigation will help inform improvements, improve safety and reduce the opportunity for incidents like this to happen again.” The inquest continues to explore the circumstances surrounding this tragic loss.
