Devastated Teenage brothers commits suicide because they could not cope with school pressure

A trainee doctor's younger brother killed himself in a copycat suicide less than a year after he took his own life due to pressure of his medical degree.

Brothers Matthew and Tom Rowe - described as 'normal, sociable boys' - were found hanged just ten months apart.

Medical student Matthew, 20, told friends he was struggling with his five-year course before he was found hanged in university halls in Manchester.

His 15-year-old brother Tom took his own life in his bedroom just ten months later, and their sister Charlotte, 19, is now urging others not to 'suffer in silence.'

Charlotte said: 'Both of my brothers were normal, sociable boys who you wouldn't associate with people who suffered from mental health issues.

'However, this is not uncommon, those who are suffering usually suffer in silence without others noticing.

'Mental health is a serious problem amongst young men with so many of these people not fully understanding their issues which leaves them feeling like suicide is the only option.'

Matthew, of Newport, South Wales, was found by fellow students at Manchester University, hanged, on January 9, 2017. 

Charlotte said: 'He was a bright, young man studying medicine.

'His death was an utter shock and completely blew my family away as we weren't fully aware what support was out there for people in our situation.'

An inquest into his death heard the trainee doctor took drugs to relieve 'boredom and anger.'

But tests showed the keen sportsman had not recently used drugs at the time of his death.

Assistant Coroner Nick Stanage recorded a conclusion of suicide at an inquest in Manchester.

After attempting to deal with their grief the family were then hit by more tragedy on October 7, 2017, when teenager Tom took his own life.

Charlotte said: 'Tom was a mischievous, fun and extremely loving young boy.

'When Tom passed away myself and my family felt completely lost and unsure what to do next as we hadn't fully grieved for Matthew yet and were faced with another tragic loss.'

A conclusion of suicide was recorded at an inquest into his death in Newport, Gwent.

Father Stephen and mother Louise, a nursery nurse, of Bassaleg, Newport, say they had no idea Tom was not coping after his brother's death.

Mr Rowe described the brothers as 'chalk and cheese.'

He said: 'Tom's reaction was what we considered to be that of a typical teenager.

'He had one counselling session but wasn't the sort of teenager who talked much.'

Tom's father said his son had wrapped himself up in gaming which became 'compulsive and all consuming.'

The teen, who was a keen footballer, also became attached to social media which the family say became 'almost addictive.'

Stephen said: 'However, there were no indications whatsoever that Tom was either mourning the passing of his brother or not coping.

'There were the occasional outbursts of rage and damage to bedroom furniture but again we put this down to teenage angst.

'But after a normal Friday evening, tussling over the use of his mother's mobile phone, Tom returned to his room and took his own life.'

The family are now raising awareness of mental health issues in young men.

Charlotte is also fundraising for the Jacob Abraham foundation - which aims to help prevent suicide through direct intervention with vulnerable people.

Source: Daily mail Online