A 22-year-old student committed suicide after becoming “overwhelmed” by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Ben Brown, who was a student at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom killed himself on Monday, April 27, according to his heartbroken mother, Helen Hartery Brown, 54. He also left her a note regarding his mental health.
He wrote about the “overwhelming” impact the current lockdown was having on him and his mental stability. Furthermore, the night before he died, Helen revealed that Ben, who was studying engineering and living with his friends in Leicestershire, had kept his inner torment a secret.
Mum's plea to others after son from Gloucester takes his life Ben Brown's mother does not want any other family to feel the pain her family is going through. The former Crypt School pupil had been under lockdown at the University of Loughborough https://t.co/npwR2HR9kx pic.twitter.com/T71pmnvnOQ
— I ♥ Gloucestershire (@ILoveGlosUK) May 1, 2020
He had talked about needing to be “busy all the time” so he wasn’t left “alone with his thoughts”.
“We video called him at 6 pm the night before he took his life. Ben was very close to his Mum. My last words to him were, ‘I love you millions’. His last words to me were, ‘I love you too mum’,” Helen revealed.
“The lockdown had a massive impact on him. Ben had not spoken to anyone about how he was feeling. He found it all too overwhelming. He was always so busy and packed a lot into his short life. Ben was an intelligent and loving man who left a lasting impression with many people,” she added, Daily Mail reports.
Ben is originally from Gloucester and his family had lived elsewhere for a while. They went back when he was in 6th grade at primary school.
He had gone to Welbeck College in Leicestershire where he completed his A-levels before attending University in 2016.
In addition, he was about to train with the British Army next September.
“My son lived life to the full. He took himself off traveling to Thailand and Vietnam and even went to Madagascar where he volunteered with building projects there.”
“I am so proud of him and all that he achieved. Some messages I have been sent from people he had only known for a night from his travels, but he had made a real lasting good impression on them. Ben, my son lived life to the full,” Helen said.
RIP OCdt Ben Brown, @TyphoonSqn potential @R_Signals officer. If anyone needs to talk in lockdown, I'm here. https://t.co/dBWuBdXSSA
— Teach Haron (@TeachHaron) May 2, 2020
In the two weeks before his passing, the boy had given money to the Papyrus charity whose goal is to help people with suicidal tendencies.
Ben is survived by his mother Helen, father Chris Brown, 51, stepmother Neelam Brown, stepfather Mark Hartery, older brother Alex, and five half and step-siblings.
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