Graduate from Chichester planning for future before suicide

Oliver Douglas, 27, of Tower Close, Chichester, a former Chichester College pupil, was described by his mother as caring and sporty.

An inquest into his death, held at Edes House on August 2, heard Mr Douglas has struggled with mental health issues from his early teens.

In a statement, Catherine Douglas, Oliver’s mother said: “He was a shop assistant and a salesman. He was very keen on all sports and enjoyed tennis and football.

“He was also involved in various fundraising events.”

Nicola Griffiths, trainee clinical psychologist, held sessions with Mr Douglas, who had previously been admitted to the Oaklands Centre for Acute Care in Chichester.

She said: “Oliver was really keen and willing to make progress. He was very motivated. He felt he wanted to come off his medication. He didn’t want to continue his life reliant on medication.”

Mr Douglas went to the University of Westminster to study journalism where he received a first class honours degree.

However following internships and his job at Clarks shoe shop he decided he wanted to travel to Japan to stay with his father and had been interviewed for teaching positions.

On March 5, 2015, Mr Douglas was found hanged in his bedroom by members his family.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Penelope Schofield, coroner for West Sussex, said: “We did hear that there was concern he would not be able to get the medication in Japan and he didn’t want to be taking it forever.

“As he was reducing his medication his mental health did deteriorate.”

“For some reason on March 5, Oliver appeared to have felt life was too much of a struggle. We know he left a suicide note and it is clear the act he under took was an intentional act.”

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