Schoolgirl, 17, hanged herself after struggling with lockdown, sixth form work and her body image, inquest hears

• Darcy Hollinson, 17, was affected ‘quite badly’ by lockdown, an inquest heard 
• Darcy, who lived in Devon, had issues bonding with friendship groups 
• She saw a child psychiatrist on the day she died, the inquest in Exeter was told 
• Darcy was tragically found hanged in her bedroom one evening in April last year
• Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org 

A 17-year-old schoolgirl who felt under pressure from extra work, had body image issues and struggled during lockdown took her own life by hanging, an inquest has heard. 

Darcy Hollinson, who lived with her parents and siblings in Tavistock, Devon, had issues bonding with friendship groups and felt excluded, the inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court was told today. 

The coroner heard that ‘lockdown affected her quite badly’ because of isolation, despite having a ‘lovely boyfriend’ – who said she was suffering from panic attacks, was struggling to sleep and also had bulimia.

Darcy, a pupil at the sixth form of Plymouth High School for Girls, last had contact with a female friend and they exchanged messages about relationships, mental health, suicide and the effect on their boyfriends.

She saw a child psychiatrist on the day she died and was ‘planning for the future’ and not expressed suicidal ideation, the hearing was told. 

Within 30 minutes of her last message to her friend, Darcy was found hanged in her bedroom one evening in April last year.

Darcy Hollinson, who lived with her parents and siblings in Tavistock, Devon, had issues bonding with friendship groups and felt excluded, the inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court was told today

A post mortem confirmed the death by hanging and police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

The senior Devon coroner Philil Spinney recorded a suicide conclusion.

He said Darcy self harmed and suffered with body image and low mood as she battled a depressive illness.

Mr Spinney offered his condolences to her parents saying it was ‘very difficult to bear’.

A post mortem confirmed the death by hanging and police said there were no suspicious circumstances

Darcy had previously taken an overdose in January 2018. 

She engaged with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services but in October 2019 she was in a ‘low mood and not enjoying sixth form’.

In March 2020 she took a second overdose.

Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org  

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