Current Affairs

‘Tell my mum I love her’: Bisexual teenager hanged himself because he was depressed

Nov 01 2017
Written by Josh Jackman

A teenager said to his friends that being bisexual made him depressed and asked them to “tell my mother I love her” before hanging himself.

Harry Corbett, 19, was travelling around Asia and Oceania with friends before he went to Swansea University.

The British teenager, who was head boy at his school and a celebrated rugby player, told one of his friends on the trip that he suffered from depression and bipolar disorder.

‘Tell my mum I love her’: Bisexual teenager hanged himself because he was depressed — Harry with his mum Barbara (Facebook/barbara corbett)

He said that his mental health issues were caused by his sexuality.

A study released by the Office of National Statistics in May found that bisexual people are 80 percent more likely to feel anxiety than the average person.

The group had been to New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Cambodia before arriving in Vietnam, where Harry died.

His friend, Mark Catley-Day, said Harry had told him previously that he had attempted suicide.

“I was really shocked,” he said, “but I thought it was an attention thing.

“He said he was bisexual and that had caused the depression and bipolar.”

Catley-Day said that he and Harry had argued in Australia.

“I made a gay-related comment to him and I think he got upset,” he recalled.

While on a cruise ship in Vietnam, the two fought again.

Wright told Winchester Coroner’s Court that after an outburst, “Harry gave me his wallet and started chucking all his money and his card at me.

“He said: ‘Tell my mum I love her,’ and then walked out the door.”

10 minutes later, Wright told the court that he found Harry’s hanged body.

Harry’s father, David Corbett, paid an emotional tribute to his son.

“Harry was our youngest son and loved by all who knew him and we are devastated at his loss.

“We are extremely proud of everything he achieved in his short life,” he said.

The coroner said: “Harry Corbett died as a result of hanging.

“He hanged himself but the evidence does not explain whether he intended to take his own life.”

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.