Father-of-three, 44, found dead at Staffordshire home after mental health struggles
A 44-year-old father-of-three was discovered deceased at his residence in Staffordshire after failing to appear for work for several days. Matthew Lowe, known as Matt, had been absent from his job for three days when his brother and a friend checked various garages where he worked casually, but no one had seen him.
He was found at his property on Kent Grove in Stone last July. An inquest held this week at Stafford Coroner's Court returned a conclusion of suicide, shedding light on his ongoing mental health challenges.
Mental health support and referrals
The inquest heard that Matt had been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts following the end of a complex relationship. He had reached out to multiple mental health services across Staffordshire, including the NHS and Andy's Man Club, a support group for men.
Coroner Daniel Howe detailed Matt's efforts to seek help. "Matt was suffering with domestic-related issues and mental health problems that came from that," he stated. "He went to his GP and was prescribed mirtazapine and referred himself to Talking Therapies in June 2025."
During his sessions, Matt reported low mood and suicidal thoughts, mentioning he had a rope and thoughts of self-harm when passing a specific bridge on his commute. Due to the severity of his condition, he was deemed to need urgent support and was referred to the Mental Health Social Inclusion Hub.
Gaps in support and final outcome
Matt spoke with the hub on June 25 last year, describing suicidal ideation but stating he had no specific plans. He was then referred to the crisis team, but it was felt that sufficient protective factors were in place, leading to a routine referral to the Integrated Mental Health Team.
No further contact was made with this team, although Matt did have an appointment with his GP where he discussed his medication with a nurse, reporting it was helping but sounding stressed. He was discharged from Talking Therapies due to the referral, and a letter from the service was found torn up in his home.
Coroner Howe noted, "We cannot know whether a referral to the crisis team could have led to a different outcome because mental health fluctuates, which is why it can be so difficult to treat." He also highlighted concerns about the number of teams within mental health services and the process of referring individuals between them, emphasizing the need for consistent support.
Resources for mental health support
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, several organizations offer confidential help:
- The Samaritans: Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org for 24-hour support.
- NHS 111 Service: Dial 111 or go to www.nhs.uk for urgent medical advice, available 24/7.
- Mind Infoline: Contact 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk, or text 86463 for information on mental health problems, open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
- HOPELineUK: Call 0800 068 41 41 for support from PAPYRUS, aimed at young people up to age 35, available 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 2pm to 5pm on weekends.
- NSPCC Childline: Dial 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk for children's mental health support.
- SANE: Call 0845 767 8000, email sanemail@sane.org.uk, or go to www.sane.org.uk for assistance with mental health issues.
The inquest concluded with a short-form finding of suicide, underscoring the critical importance of accessible and continuous mental health care.
