The heartbroken father of a 17-year-old boy who took his own life says he believes his son would still be alive if lockdown had not been enforced.

Michael Bond was speaking after it was revealed coronavirus restrictions are said to have been a contributory factor in seven suicide attempts among teenagers in Kent.

His son, Matthew Mackell, is one of three youngsters to have tragically taken their own life.

He was found dead in Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells on May 7.

His dad said: "Matthew had thought about taking his life before, which we found out from his diary, but with everything with the lockdown, he wasn't seeing his friends anymore, he found it hard to communicate with people, he split up with his girlfriend, he wasn't going out anymore and he wasn't working.

"All the most important things in his life got taken away from him and that really had an effect on him.

"I would say 100% that Matthew would still be here if lockdown hadn't happened.

"I know he was down and I know he had a few other problems, but being at home had taken away all the structure. Before he would go to school, meet people and that would cheer him up. You'd have good days and bad days but being at home you don't get that."

The NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) met virtually last week and confirmed a review into the "cluster" of deaths is underway.

All three youngsters - and the four who attempted suicide - were aged 13-17 and from different parts of the county.

In its Nursing and Quality Team Report, the CCG said: "The multi-agency rapid review cluster meeting and subsequent report highlighted that a range of different factors appear to have contributed to the attempts and deaths of the young people.

"These appear to include conditions that impact on impulse control, special needs, domestic violence and mental illness - each seemingly exacerbated by lockdown. However, not all the children were known to services."

Paula Wilkins, the chief nursing officer for the CCG, added at the meeting: "There are some similarities in some of these cases and we're not blaming this all on lockdown.

"We're unsure at the moment as to the impact that lockdown may have had on it and on any of our services - so we're looking further into that."

Rachel Jones, director of strategy and population health for Kent and Medway CCG, says local services are "working closely to understand what led to these tragic events" and how to ensure those struggling are given support.

“Disruption to regular routines and contact with friends and school can create additional pressure on the mental wellbeing of young people, particularly those who have existing mental health issues and/or come from difficult home backgrounds," she added.

"We have taken action throughout the pandemic to support access to mental health services for young people. and have communicated to schools about the resources that are available to cascade through their remote contact with pupils, as well as continuing to promote local services directly to young people.”

NHS England’s national clinical director for mental health recently told a Royal Society of Medicine webinar that young people were being hit hard by the lockdown, with calls to Childline increasing 50% in recent months.

Research by YoungMinds at the start of the pandemic showed that 83% of children with existing mental health problems felt the Covid-19 crisis and social distancing measures made their issues worse.

Mr Bond, who says his son had been worrying about the effect of lockdown on his education, is urging those struggling to seek support.

"Just talk to someone," he said. "It doesn't have to be family, it can even be a stranger; sometimes that helps, and I even found that out myself. Even yesterday it helped me tremendously talking to someone I didn't know.

"I've heard about some kids who are now talking to their parents about their mental health and their struggles all because of Matthew, so he is still helping people now."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

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