A MAN who suffered from mental health illness took his own life, an inquest has ruled.

Martin McIver, of Burdett Avenue, Westcliff, was found at his home by a friend on October 8 last year, after taking an overdose.

The 49-year-old had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and severe anxiety disorder.

A full inquest into his death was held yesterday at Essex Coroner’s Court, in Chelmsford.

Dr Shaimaa Aboelenien, consultant psychiatrist at Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, said: “Martin was known to mental health services for years and was offered lots of different medication including anti-depressants. In February 2022 he was prescribed [a drug] he described the medication as exacerbating his anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

“Due to this his dosage was reduced in the hopes of bringing it back up in April slowly.”

The court heard Martin described the drug as the “worst medicine he had ever taken”.

Dr Aboelenein’s plan was to have a lower dose alongside another drug to manage Martin’s anxiety.

Martin reached out to the mental health crisis duty team on April 11 over concerns about medication and liaised with a doctor who advised to continue as it was accepted its effectiveness might “take some time”.

Martin contacted the team again on April 19 to complain about medication again and asked for a different drug. Another call was made on April 26.

Martin was discharged from the crisis team on May 9 and a six week plan was put in place to wean him off one of the drugs starting on June 29.

However in August Martin’s suicidal thoughts reoccurred and an agreement was made to resume his prescribed drug on August 30.

Another review was set for eight weeks time but by then, Martin had overdosed.

Area coroner Sonia Hayes ruled the cause of death as suicide.

Editor's note: This story has been edited and updated due to inaccuracies notified to us after publication. Names of drugs have also been removed to prevent risk to others who are vulnerable. We would like to apologise to the family and friends of Mr McIver for any distress caused.