A 43-year-old doctor with two young children decided to jump off a bridge because he felt he couldn’t talk about his mental health issues.
Dr. Miles Christie believed he had let his family down before he climbed over the railings and jumped to his death.
An inquest heard that the GP had been working at two GP surgeries and had been incorrectly told that he owed £48,000 when the right amount was only £3,000.
Dr. Christie visited a psychiatrist with his father but explained that he wasn’t suicidal, the coroner heard.
People passing by were shocked and horrified when he took a leap before emergency services tried to save his life.
The father left behind his two children, aged only 3 and 5, and wife of 6 years, 40-year-old Juliette Stern.
Ms. Stern said in an emotional statement read at the hearing: “He was a hugely charismatic, kind, positive and gentle soul.
“He was adventurous and had a genuine interest in life and in people. He had the ability to engage with people from all walks of life.
“It is very difficult to come to terms with how someone can unravel like this.”
The inquest heard that he had struggled balancing family life and work while caring for patients at two separate practices. He also felt anxious about financial problems.
He worked day and night at the Burnley Medical Practice NHS surgery and at the private Knightsbridge Doctors.
But Dr. Christie became increasingly anxious about financial issues and started working longer hours that he lost a lot of weight.
A few days before he died, he received five invoices incorrectly informing him that he owed a total amount of £48,000 despite owing only £3,000.
His wife, Ms. Stern, says more needs to be done to support medical professionals who also need help. “Suicide is far more prevalent in the medical profession generally.
“We need to understand why this might be and getting them support rather than being concerned with their ability to practice.”
She added: “He was deeply concerned about a mental health diagnosis going on his record and affecting his ability to work.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with this family during this difficult time.
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Replaced!