An Indian origin student who put herself to death by hanging on the grounds of her school in London two years ago died as a consequence of depressive illness, an inquest into her death concluded this week.
In June 2017, the 14-year-old Elena Mondal was found unresponsive by her teachers in a wooded area at Hampstead’s exclusive girls’ school Henrietta Barnett in north London.
The girl had been rushed to hospital after a self-harming incident on the school premises just weeks ahead of her death, the inquest was told.
Andrew Walker, the coroner leading the proceedings to find out the facts behind the death, concluded on Wednesday that the schoolgirl died as a consequence of a “depressive illness”.
“What needs to happen is that as a society we need to look at how we treat our young people and ask ourselves some questions, the answers to which may be difficult for us to hear,” said Walker.
He made recommendations for improved record-keeping for the educational institution and the health agencies involved with the teenager’s care, according to a report in The Guardian.
According to the inquest, Elena was receiving counseling from the school’s child and adolescent mental health service for an eating disorder and self-harming and had been assessed at the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead.
Psychiatrist Dr. Cathy Wainhouse told the inquest that on the day Elena died she may have hoped she would be discovered before it was too late.
“She was a kind and good-hearted girl. We hope any further deaths can be avoided and lessons learned. You will always be in our soul until we meet in the next life,” said Elena’s father, Shyamal Mondal, at the hearing. Her mother, Moushumi, said her daughter dreamed of becoming a doctor and excelled at music, chess, and badminton.
School headteacher Del Cooke said: “As a school, the well being and safeguarding of our students is our top priority and their happiness and welfare are paramount.
“We have extensive well-being initiatives and liaise closely with medical, counseling and other professionals to support our students. It is devastating that, despite those efforts, a much loved and cared for the student has been lost.”
The inquest had opened in March 2018 but was adjourned for almost a year to allow an expert psychiatrist to evaluate the aid provided to Elena.
-Sowmya
