A tragic incident has unfolded in Waltham Forest, London, where the life of 18-year-old Emily Burns was cut short, prompting serious discussions about mental health care for adolescents. Just hours before her untimely death, Emily expressed concerns to her mother about the effectiveness of her medication, leading her family to believe that she was in dire need of support.
Emily’s parents have publicly voiced their heartbreak, stating that their daughter was let down during a critical time when she required assistance the most. An inquest into her death revealed significant gaps in her mental health care, particularly after she was discharged from adolescent mental health services.
Emily was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and anorexia and had been receiving treatment from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) operated by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust. Her treatment journey began with antidepressants in February 2022, followed by a referral for psychotherapy in April of the same year. However, a coroner noted that Emily “slipped through the net” of the system, receiving only a brief course of therapy that failed to meet her needs in January 2023.
Upon turning 18, Emily’s care was transitioned to a general practitioner (GP), but this change occurred without a thorough review by a senior doctor, and her parents were not included in the discharge planning process. This lack of communication and oversight would later be highlighted as a critical failure in her care.
On the very day of her care transfer, Emily tragically attempted to take her own life by overdosing on medication, which resulted in her being hospitalized. After this incident, she was placed under the care of an adult home treatment team. Despite her family’s persistent requests for a medication review and psychological therapy, the response was inadequate.
A plan was eventually established to restart her antidepressants, refer her for psychotherapy, and ensure regular home visits from mental health professionals. However, an initial assessment conducted on May 5, 2023, was not performed by a fully qualified therapist, raising further concerns about the quality of care Emily received.
Just four days after this assessment, Emily took her own life. In a heartbreaking moment before her death, she embraced her mother and shared her feelings of despair, stating that she believed her medication was ineffective and needed to be adjusted.
Emily was not only a beloved daughter but also an aspiring costume designer, preparing to embark on her university journey. Her family described her as beautiful inside and out, expressing profound grief over the loss of their vibrant daughter.
The inquest into Emily’s death has sparked a broader conversation about the adequacy of mental health services for young people, particularly during transitions from adolescent to adult care. As families continue to advocate for better support systems, Emily’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for comprehensive mental health care and the importance of involving families in the treatment process.
As the community mourns the loss of Emily Burns, her parents are determined to raise awareness about the challenges faced by young individuals struggling with mental health issues, hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
