Report critical of help available to suicidal teenager

An independent panel has criticised the level of health care offered to a suicidal young man who took his own life two years ago.

Eighteen-year-old Danny McCartan, from Ardoyne in Belfast, had a long history of depression and self-harm.

His parents were given some help, but it stopped on the day he reached 18 and all he was offered after then was a few days on an adult mental health ward, which made his condition worse.

On the day he hanged himself, he had asked for help, but was refused, partly because a specialist nurse said the suicide risk was low.

An independent investigation has now concluded that Mr McCartan was failed by the system due to staff shortages, breakdowns in communication, confusion and delays.