Coronavirus lockdown was 'like three hundred years' for Manchester teenager who took her own life, say family
Read more: Blog from correspondent Mel Barham who met family years ago for another story. Family of Beth Palmer: 'look after each other and talk'
The family of a Manchester teenager who longed to be a professional singer, believe she took her own life because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Watch this exclusive report by Mel Barham
Beth Palmer was 17, and studying to be a vocal artist at Access Creative College in Manchester. She was found dead at her home in Sale just days after the country was put into lockdown because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Her family say they had no indication that she was struggling with her mental health, other than that she'd expressed a sadness and frustration about not being able to see friends or go to college.
Beth's family have spoken exclusively to ITV's Granada Reports in the hope of preventing other deaths from suicide. They fear there will be other teenagers and young people struggling with the imposed isolation and change to their lives, and are desperate to raise awareness of Beth's story to dissuade others from following the same path.
A Justgiving page has been set up in memory of Beth - the family hope to use it to start a charitable trust in her name. They've already raised more than £10,000. Their idea is to take mental health first aid into creative colleges and universities to help those students who may be at risk and struggling.The talented singer's Instagram page has also recorded more than 52 thousand likes on a recent recording - the family say they are taking great comfort from knowing her musical legacy will live on.