A private mental health clinic has launched an internal investigation following the suicide of a young teaching assistant whose cries for help were not seen by a therapist on annual leave.

Emilia Marsh received three weeks of live-in treatment for anxiety and depression at the Promis Residential Clinic in Deal in September.

The 20-year-old, who worked at Canterbury Academy and was known as Millie, was in a much better state of mind when she was discharged on October 16.

But on October 31, after splitting with her boyfriend, she reached out to a therapist, unaware she was on annual leave.

The therapist only saw her messages on November 3, but was unable to reach Millie, despite sending texts and leaving voicemail messages.

She received a message that evening from Millie's mum, Sukina Fagg, who told her she had found her daughter dead at the family home in The Street, Boughton under Blean.

Animal lover Millie, who previously worked at Dogs Trust Canterbury in Chestfield, had taken her own life.

Her death has now triggered an internal investigation into services at the Promis clinic, examining the point of contact for patients when their therapist is on holiday.

An inquest into Millie's death heard how her family had raised the money to fund treatment at the clinic - known as Hay Farm - after she had previously felt "let down" by NHS services in 2017.

She had spoken with a doctor about feeling increasingly anxious in August last year, and told how she thought about dying in a further consultation on September 22.

It was suggested she speak to the NHS-run Laurel House mental health team in Canterbury, but she opted to admit herself as an inpatient to Hay Farm on September 25.

"Millie put her trust in the service because she felt she was let down by the NHS service - that’s why we paid for it" - Millie's mum

She responded well to treatment and had built a strong bond with her vocal therapist, Francesca Chantler.

After being discharged on October 16, she had spoken about "doing well" and had enjoyed a meal with her family.

But her mental health deteriorated when her relationship with her boyfriend ended on October 31, which is when she attempted to contact Ms Chantler.

Ms Chantler told the inquest how patients are given the Hay Farm clinic and a nurse's number, and should phone 999 during a crisis.

But Millie's mum told of her concerns about the procedures in place at the clinic and said "she really trusted" Ms Chantler.

"Millie put her trust in the service because she felt she was let down by the NHS service - that's why we paid for it," she said.

"To not get a response that she was suicidal, she felt she was ignored.

"I am not blaming [Ms Chantler] as a person, but there are some learnings from this.

"I know how much you helped her and she trusted you completely, because she didn't want to talk to me."

The inquest in Maidstone was adjourned until the investigation into procedures at the Promis clinic has concluded.

Family's bid to help others

Sukina Fagg, Millie's mum, has launched a charity called Forever and Some in her daughter's honour.

Once fully set up, it aims to support both young people and families at the front line, as well being a voice for change in the "dysfunctional" mental health system.

She said: “If we can prevent even just one family from going through the utter devastation that we are all living each day, it’s a success.”

You can help the family raise money for the charity here.

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