Editor’s note: The following story contains details that some readers may find upsetting

A coroner has raised concerns over the handling of referrals to the mental health Crisis Response Team after it refused a request from a fellow professional.

Philip Ashley Cooper took his own life on August 28 last year at his Laxey home, having struggled for a number of years with depression, manic episodes and declining mental health.

Despite attempting to take his own life three months earlier and dealing with the death of his much-loved dog, a referral made by a mental health nurse shortly before his death was refused.

Coroner James Brooks has recently published his findings following the inquest into Philip’s death, which took place at Douglas Courthouse in July and concluded with a verdict of ‘suicide’. The inquest heard how Philip, 42, was living in Laxey at the time of his death.

In evidence, Philip’s mum said her son’s mental health had declined significantly in the month before his death.

She also said that three months earlier, Philip had tried to end his life but was stopped by his dog whimpering and placing his paws on him. Philip stated: ‘I couldn’t do it to the dog’.

On August 27, Philip’s mother contacted the crisis team as she was becoming increasingly concerned for her son.

Philip had a conversation with a mental health nurse that day. The nurse noted the recent death of Philip’s dog and it was her opinion that there were a lot of risks in Philip’s life, prompting her to refer him to the Mental Health Service for Adults.

But she also felt it would be appropriate for the Crisis Response Team to become involved in the meantime.

Her own words were that she ‘thought no human should be that distressed and that he should have support now’.

That referral was made, but the following day she was informed it had not been accepted.

She told the coroner she was ‘personally quite shocked about that’, although she accepted the Crisis Response Team’s refusal was factually correct in terms of evidence of future planning.

Discussing whether to write a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Manx Care under Rule 34, Mr Brooks said: ‘The concern I have is this. The Crisis Response Team clearly have rejected a referral from a fellow mental health professional.

‘Now I can’t say had that referral been accepted, Philip wouldn’t have taken the actions that he did.

‘But I am entitled of course to make a report to prevent a death that might come about in similar circumstances to that of Philip.

‘I accept it is not reasonable or probably possible to insist that the Crisis Response Team simply accept a referral because it is made by a fellow mental health professional.

‘My concern is that the decision the Crisis Response Team made perhaps didn’t give appropriate weight to the concerns of [the mental health nurse] who was the only mental health professional to have sat down with Philip, observing his mood and the fluctuations she described.

‘She indicated her surprise at the referral having been rejected and I have to say that that concerns me.’

Manx Care’s advocate Timothy Evans told the coroner that Manx Care would potentially be open to a recommendation or reporting around what weight is given to referrals from fellow professionals.

Ms Gilbert, the advocate representing Philip’s family, added: ‘It would be of great comfort for the family if some sort of recommendation was made. They obviously strongly feel that given the circumstances potentially Philip’s death could have been prevented.’

Manx Care and/or the DHSC must respond to the coroner’s letter within 56 days.

If you need support, visit the Isle of Man Government’s wellbeing support page for details of organisations that can help.