Coroner recommends psychologists share info after tragic death of 20yo Geelong man

A coroner has recommended psychologists provide young patients with written information they can share with loved ones, after investigating the tragic death of a 20-year-old Geelong man.

A CORONER has recommended psychologists provide young patients with written information they can share with loved ones, after investigating the tragic death of a local.

Coroner Darren Bracken made a suite of recommendations after examining the death of a 20-year-old Geelong man who died by suicide while living in Melbourne in 2018.

In his findings, the coroner wrote the young man had struggled with mental health issues.

About a year before his death, he began seeing a psychologist, who he saw eight times over two months.

The coroner wrote the psychologist assessed the young man’s risk of suicide as low to moderate and noted protective factors including his family and social supports.

According to the psychologist, the patient progressed well but chose to discontinue treatment after eight sessions.

The patient reported improvements and at the conclusion of their sessions denied suicidal thoughts or intent, the coroner wrote.

The coroner reported in the weeks prior to his death in 2018, the young man spoke of feeling stressed.

The coroner has released findings after investigating the suicide of the 20-year-old Geelong man.

His parents expressed concerns about the psychologist’s management of their son, the coroner wrote.

The psychologist informed the coroner if she had any concerns about the man’s immediate safety, she would have sought consent from him to consult with his parents to arrange appropriate medical, psychiatric and/or social care.

The report said in the absence of consent, the psychologist would have disclosed the risk in any event.

“The proposed recommendations … are directed to encouraging psychologists to consider encouraging young adult patients, where appropriate, to actively engage family, friends and other supports so that loved ones, aware of the diagnosis and treatment, are alert to changes in mood or behaviour (which may signal deterioration in mental state or relapse) thereby potentially preventing self-harm,” Mr Bracken wrote.

Mr Bracken’s recommendations included:

– Peak bodies representing psychologists advise their members that when treating young adults, unless clear reasons contraindicate such action, they provide the patient with written information relevant to the diagnosis which can be provided to the patient’s family, friends and/or supports; and,

– Peak bodies advise psychologists when treating young adults in relation to self-harm and suicide issues that, unless clear reasons contraindicate such actions, management should include exploring the option for the patient approving/consenting for the psychologist to directly consult with the patient’s parent or partner about their condition and what may be needed to support the patient.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Originally published as Coroner recommends psychologists share info after tragic death of 20yo Geelong man