A YOUNG Silloth man who was known for his caring nature and putting other people first took his own life after battling with his mental health, an inquest heard.

Jake Nichol, 21, was confirmed dead in the early hours of July 3 after friends found him at the Mary Street home he was sharing with a friend. 

An inquest in Cockermouth heard how Mr Nichol struggled with his mental health for a number of years but was accepted for a Carlisle College course just before he died.

His sister Carly Nichol spoke warmly of Jake, a former Solway Community College pupil, saying they were always close. He spoke to her about everything, she said. “As a child, he loved to question things,” she said. “He always made a point of asking why and particularly loved to dance around.

“Even from a young age, he would put others before himself. He wanted to make people smile - particularly if they were having a bad time of it.”

Her brother’s upbringing had been “difficult”, she said, pointing out how mum and dad split when Mr Nichol was three. At 12, he had moved in with his father. “He would always put others first and wanted to make others happy,” she added.

As a teenager, Mr Nichol began to self harm and at 19 took an overdose - a cry for help, in his sister’s view. She recalled him visiting her the day before he died, and seeming his “normal happy self”. He spoke of his college place and returning the next day for a cup of tea and a chat.

Mr Nichol’s father Gary said his son - who always put a smile on people’s face - had confirmation of his college place the day before he died. After the tragedy, he found a note from his son, apologising.

There was evidence Jake Nicol made repeated visits to his doctor with anxiety issues but he had poor compliance with suggested medication or mental health services, said his GP. Coroner Kally Cheema concluded that he took his own life.

  • For the Samaritans: call 116 123 at any time
  • The Self Injury Helpline is 0808 800 8088 - or look at www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
  •  Papyrus (working to stop young suicides) is at www.papyrus-uk.org or call its Hopeline on 0800 068 4141