Student from Fleet took his own life over stress about university studies
An inquest heard Dominic Holmes suffered with "acute social anxiety"
An inquest has heard how a student from north Hampshire suffering from “acute social anxiety” took his own life after fearing he was not clever enough for his university studies.
Dominic Holmes, from Fleet, died at Winchfield Railway Station near Hook in October last year.
His father, Brian Holmes, said in a statement that his son had become stressed as he found his university work harder than expected after taking a gap year.
Dominic Holmes, from Fleet, died at Winchfield Railway Station near Hook on October 13, 2020, the Portsmouth hearing was told.
His father, Brian Holmes, said in a statement that his son had become stressed as he found his university work harder than expected after taking a gap year.
He said his son had begun his year off as a maths supervisor at his former sixth form college, where he had achieved top grades at A-level, but he had then been furloughed.
He then spent much of the year as a full-time carer for his mother, Judith, who suffers from motor neurone disease.
Mr Holmes said that his son had returned home unexpectedly for the weekend to have a driving lesson, but had faced an “emotional black hole” as he contemplated his return to university.
He said: “Dominic commented once that he found academic work harder than he thought at university and felt he had become a little bit stupid during his gap year.”
Mr Holmes added that his son had become anxious over Covid-19 at university, after facing a period of lockdown, and he had worn a mask for most of his time at home that weekend.
The inquest was told that Dominic had been prescribed beta blockers and a tranquilliser by the university medical service, after reporting suffering “low mood”.
Mr Holmes criticised the university for not taking further steps to support his son and said: “He was suffering acute anxiety, if the university was not going to closely monitor him, he should have been sent home.
“If that had happened I believe my beloved son would still be alive, instead the world has lost a wonderful young man and I, for one, am devastated.”
Hampshire coroner Christopher Wilkinson said that a 23-page note left by Dominic showed that his primary concerns were “social anxiety and his integration with his friends”.
Recording a verdict of suicide, he said: “He has expressed in no uncertain terms he doesn’t feel like he belongs in himself and in the world and also expressed fears he may not be clever enough to achieve what he wanted to achieve academically.”
Mr Wilkinson added that Dominic would have been aware of further support services available at university.
Dominic’s family raised £5,000 through a JustGiving appeal for a memorial to him.
His sister, Emily, paid tribute to her brother on the appeal page, saying: “Dominic can only be described as the most kind, patient, passionate and intelligent person I have ever known.”