The mum of a Chippenham man who took his own life has described him as a lovely, beautiful young man who, despite help from mental health services, could not stop hearing voices in his head.

Connor Sims, of The Leys, had struggled with psychosis for years leading up to his death, despite his parents' and doctors' best efforts to help.

In Connor’s inquest held on Tuesday, January 23, the 32-year-old's mum Deborah Sims explained her son had led a happy life up until his early 20s, but turned to drugs when his health took a turn for the worse.

“At the age of 23, he became ill and wanted to self-medicate so would take unprescribed drugs from the internet," she said.

“His friends said he would shout at people in the bushes that weren’t there and he told us he could hear voices.”

Connor’s parents told area coroner Ian Singleton how they had tried everything to help their son, taking him to doctors and mental health services.

His stay at Green Lane Psychiatric Hospital as well as other centres helped Connor access the right support to turn his life around and he began a forestry and garden job which he is said to have enjoyed.

But despite his improved mental health, Connor continued to struggle and was never able to escape from hearing voices.

“Connor’s last contact with the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Service was in 2021 when he told the service during a phone call assessment that the voices were manageable," read a doctor’s letter read out by the area coroner.

On Monday, June 27, 2023, aged 32, Connor took his own life at his family home.

Area Coroner Ian Singleton concluded that despite accessing mental health services, Connor had never been able to escape his mental health problems and his death was the result of suicide.

f you feel in danger at any time, Samaritans has a 24/7 helpline on 116 123.