Lucy Greenwell

It's a boxy, three-storey NHS building, not far from the centre of her local town.

It's a boxy, three-storey NHS building, not far from the centre of her local town.

When Chloe first starts coming here, it isn't a great success.

When Chloe first starts coming here, it isn't a great success.

Chloe doesn't really click with the community mental health nurse she's been paired with.

Chloe doesn't really click with the community mental health nurse she's been paired with.

But after a year or so, she begins having sessions with a new counsellor, one she really likes.

But after a year or so, she begins having sessions with a new counsellor, one she really likes.

Each time, for about an hour, she sits in a room inside this building and tells the woman everything.

Each time, for about an hour, she sits in a room inside this building and tells the woman everything.

I should tell you now, by way of a warning, in November 2023, before we began reporting this story, Chloe died by suicide.

I should tell you now, by way of a warning, in November 2023, before we began reporting this story, Chloe died by suicide.

She was 23 years old.

She was 23 years old.

Chloe's mental health had been fragile for years.

Chloe's mental health had been fragile for years.

According to Chloe's mum, Debbie, there were times when she would sort of disappear into herself, lying in bed for days, not speaking, not engaging with anyone.

According to Chloe's mum, Debbie, there were times when she would sort of disappear into herself, lying in bed for days, not speaking, not engaging with anyone.

So this counsellor she begins seeing in the autumn of 2019 feels like a new start, a sort of hope.

So this counsellor she begins seeing in the autumn of 2019 feels like a new start, a sort of hope.