A tragic incident unfolded as a 15-year-old boy, dealing with mental health challenges, was found deceased at home shortly after his mother had left for a brief period, an inquest revealed. Zack Ellis had been under the care of various agencies, including the CAMHS service at the NHS Pennine Care Trust and Oldham Council’s social services, in the period leading up to the sad event.

On July 23, 2024, Zack’s mother returned home to find him lifeless in his bedroom after giving a friend a ride. DCI Hunter from Greater Manchester Police informed the court that while no note was discovered in his room, his phone’s search history showed recent online queries about self-harm methods.

Described by his mother Kathleen as an affectionate, unique, and caring individual, Zack was known as a supportive older sibling despite facing school bullying. He had a strong connection with his family and friends, even though his mental health started declining in mid-2022, resulting in self-harm.

The recent hearing at Rochdale Coroner’s Court disclosed that Zack, formerly assigned female at birth, identified as male from a young age and adopted the name Zack around age 12. Following a family domestic violence incident, Zack and his siblings were placed under a child protection plan.

Despite challenges at home after moving from Stalybridge to Oldham in 2023, Kathleen acknowledged their close relationship. The family sought ADHD and autism assessments for Zack, which were pending action.

Zack’s struggles with self-harm were highlighted during testimonies by mental health practitioners and social workers, detailing his suicidal thoughts and emotional turmoil. Despite receiving support from CAMHS, missed appointments and limited benefits from therapy sessions were noted.

Although Zack lived near the mental health service, he preferred to walk there, often taking extended walks to clear his mind. College staff and social workers engaged in multi-agency meetings to review Zack’s well-being, but communication gaps between CAMHS and other involved parties were acknowledged.

The court learned of various concerning incidents involving Zack, including bringing a blade to college and distressing social media encounters. Despite being discharged from CAMHS Tameside and transitioning to the Oldham waiting list, Zack appeared optimistic about the future in his final days.

The Senior Coroner confirmed the cause of Zack’s death as hanging. The proceedings shed light on the need for improved coordination between mental health services and support networks to prevent such tragedies in the future.