SEVERELY ANOREXIC 15 YEAR OLD GIRL THROWS SELF IN FRONT OF MOVING TRAIN(HER PHOTOS)

A severely anorexic 15-year-old girl stepped in front of a train five days after being released from a psychiatric hospital, an inquest heard.

Pippa ‘Pip’ McManus died at Gatley railway station after a family argument about her excessive gym use which ended with her running from her home shouting ‘I am going to kill myself now’.

South Manchester assistant coroner Andrew Bridgman told jury members they would have to consider the risks to Pip of her release from the Priory Hospital, in Altrincham, and if that release had been properly managed.


Her parents, James and Marie, had expressed reservations but felt they were ‘left with no choice’ but to agree with Priory medics’ assessment that their daughter should go home.

The Stockport inquest heard they would have preferred Pip to be placed in another clinic after her recovery from anorexia at the Priory, where she had originally been detained under the mental health act, had stalled.

It was said that Pip’s behaviour had first concerned her parents when she was 12 and had started at nearby Kingsway School.

Mrs McManus said: “She started getting obsessed looking at her side profile in the mirror, at her chin, asking if her chin was fat. I didn’t think anything of it really.”

Pip,of Frances Avenue, Gatley, then became obsessed with her diet and always wanted to exercise. She joined running and boxing clubs and would eat very little.Mr McManus said medical advice was first sought around Christmas 2012 when things began ‘spiralling out of control’.

After that she was treated by Stockport Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Galaxy House, a similar service at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, before ending up at the Priory.

She was due to be discharged in November 2015 but this was delayed a month. Then there was a mix up with the signing of her discharge form and she was released on extended home leave on December 4.

The coroner asked the jury to look at whether this made a difference to what then happened.

Upon returning home Pip clashed with her family about the frequency of visits to the gym. She ran out of the house on December 9 and went to Gatley train station following a row.

After her death her mum set up the Pip Foundation for ABC Anorexia & Bulimia Care

In a JustGiving site to support the Foundation, her mother wrote:

“My beautiful daughter Pip took her own life on December 9th 2015 when she was just 15 years old.

“The tear in the thread of our family will never be mended. Pip spent her last 3 years fighting against anorexia, malnutrition, depression and self harm. “I do not want Pip’s life and suffering to have been in vain, whenever she was able, she tried to help others suffering from similar conditions and I am hoping to continue her good work through the Pip Foundation.

“I sincerely hope that you will donate to my chosen charity ABC in aid of those suffering from anorexia and bulimia.

“With your support, Pip will never be forgotten, her memory will live on, and her foundation will continue to help the people she tried to help while she was still alive.”

PROCEEDING

Where to get help

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.

Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information. http://www.depressionalliance.org/

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.

http://studentsagainstdepression.org/

Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.

http://www.bullying.co.uk/

The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, for people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis.

Dedicated eating disorder charity: B-eat (Beat Eating Disorders)

Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Youthline: 0808 801 0711

National Centre for Eating Disorders

Helpline: 0845 838 2040

eating-disorders.org.uk

SEED (an eating disorder support service)

Helpline: 01482 718130