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- Feb 2, 2021
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Hull LiveA devoted Hull dad who struggled with his mental health took his own life after losing his job.
Described as a "caring and generous" man, Paul Lawson doted on his two children. But the 36-year-old also battled with depression and anxiety throughout much of his life.
Paul was on antidepressants but his use was sometimes sporadic and he had not renewed his prescription for two months before his death on May 8 this year. His body was tragically found in woodland off Hull Road in Hedon by a dog walker.
An inquest into his death was held in Hull on Thursday during which a statement was read out by his family. They explained how Paul had a happy childhood. On leaving school he had a number of jobs, including at a butchers and a kitchen, before working in warehouses. Most recently, he was employed as a fork lift driver at a warehouse at Crown Paints which he enjoyed and had made good friends.
He met the mother of his two children in 2009 but the couple separated in 2021. He met someone else and they were living together prior to his death with her three children.
The family statement said: "Paul was a hands on dad who would pick up his children after school and saw them during weekends and holidays. They were an important part of his life. He was a good father and loved his children very much.
"Paul was a caring and generous person but his mental health deteriorated over the last couple of years. He had recently lost his job as a fork lift driver."
The inquest heard from Paul's partner who said they had a good relationship but he did struggle with his mental health.
In her statement she said: "The medication helped Paul but he also did not want to be taking it for the rest of his life. That meant he would sometimes not take it for a week or two at a time. When he didn't take it he was a different person.
"His mental health got worse when he lost his job. He had no money and he lost his independence. He would not seek any other help other than medication."
The inquest also heard how Paul was offered counselling with the Let's Talk service. But he was never referred to the mental health team because the medication he was on was effective. He was also never referred to the crisis team as he was never deemed an immediate risk to himself or others.
A note was also discovered in a work bag at his home. It provided heartfelt messages to his loved ones. In it he said he "was not meant for this life" and "always struggled to cope". He also said no one was to blame and "his children had kept him going".
Assistant coroner Sarah Middleton concluded that, while alcohol was found in Paul's system, she did not feel this affected his decision making. She also said the fact his mental health had deteriorated and there was a note –albeit not on him at the time – led her to conclude his death was 'suicide'.
She said: "Paul was a proud man who wanted to deal with his problems in his own way. I'm not sure what planning there was. It seems to me this was a spontaneous but intentional act.
"He had a supportive network of family and friends and they could not have anticipated what he was going to do. I offer my sincere condolences to the family. Paul was a caring and loving man who was struggling. I hope the family can look back at the fond memories of him."
