A former army sergeant who served with the SAS in Afghanistan took her own life after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
42-year-old Lisa Brydon, who had been a dedicated soldier attached to the SAS and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was found dead in her car, an inquest heard.
Lisa served in Afghanistan and Iraq before she was medically discharged. However, the former army sergeant suffered from depression and PTSD and her condition worsened because of the lockdown.
Her family members said they were worried about Lisa’s mental health and the lack of assistance she was receiving before she took her own life.
Pontypridd Coroner’s Court was told the 41-year-old was found lifeless in a parked vehicle in Cardiff.
“Entry was gained to the vehicle but she was sadly found to be deceased at 12.32 pm. A note was found at her home address indicating her intentions,” said Coroner’s officer Emma Mathias.
Lisa’s family say she had attempted to take her own life five times since the lockdown started.
“Lisa was failed by many people. No one really seemed to be that interested in her,” said Lisa’s sister, Tracy Curry. “She fell through the cracks of a system which isn’t designed to help people like Lisa. I want to make sure that no one else has to go through this.
“Two days before she died the police were involved in a search for her involving a police helicopter. When Lisa was found she was taken to hospital because she had attempted suicide but discharged herself.
“She was picked up by the police and taken home instead of being returned to hospital even though the police had been warned that she wanted to kill herself.”
Tracy continued: “The mental health team told me she couldn’t be detained under the Mental Health Act because she had “full capacity”.
“Just last month Lisa was in hospital after one suicide attempt and had asked to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act but was told she wasn’t ill enough.
“Her death was completely avoidable and I am so sad and cross about it all.”
Tracy added: “I noticed a massive change in Lisa when she left the Army. She missed the routine and her friends and she never managed to find another job which gave her the same rewards.
“She worked in human resources and had a few admin jobs but I think she was bored. She was later diagnosed with PTSD and managed to get some counselling through the charity Save Our Soldiers but it closed down last year due to a lack of funding. The Army has a responsibility to look after veterans who are discharged with mental health problems.
“If you become ill while serving your country you should be looked after by the Armed Forces.”
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “South Wales Police was called on Tuesday 9th June following the discovery of the body of a 42 year-old woman in a car in Cardiff.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious. The circumstances surrounding the death will be reported to H M Coroner at an inquest in due course.”
A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “Our thoughts are with Lisa’s family at this incredibly sad time.
“Lisa’s death has been reported in line with our Health Board incident reporting processes and is currently under investigation. It is not possible to comment further until the investigation is concluded.”
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Replaced!