17-year-old upcoming singer killed herself as three months of lockdown 'felt like 300 years', say family
The family of a young singer has revealed that she committed suicide as three months of coronavirus lockdown 'felt like 300 years'.
Seventeen-year-old Beth Palmer, from Sale in Greater Manchester, had been studying to be a vocal artist. Her reputation as a singer was also beginning to take off. Her devastated family has revealed that she had become obsessed that the current lockdown on daily life would never end.
The student was found dead in her home as the country battles the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Her family shared that there was no indication that she had been struggling with her mental health other than the fact that she had expressed some sadness at not being able to meet her friends or go to college.
The family also said they spoke out about the tragedy with the hopes of warning other parents that their children could be facing similar dark days amid the coronavirus. Palmer's father, Mike, shared, "I have no doubt the lockdown has played a major part in Beth's death," Daily Mail reports.
"She couldn't finish college, she couldn't go out and see her friends. She felt as though this three-month lockdown was to her 300 years. This three-month lockdown I think became an extreme, almost obsessive obsession, that it was never going to end," Mike added.
Beth had been a student at the Access Creative College in Manchester and had started to gain a reputation as a singer given she would regularly perform at local pubs. Beth's parents -- Mike and mother Helen -- are struggling to accept that their daughter is no more.
They also spoke to ITV's Granada Reports and said they fear for other teenagers and young people struggling to deal with the isolation and quarantine. "The devastation is indescribable. It saddens me to say but I don't think she'll be alone, I think there'll be other young adults, teenagers feeling exactly the same, feeling very vulnerable, maybe very scared about the Covid-19 situation, having their lives changed," Mike shared.
"I'd hate to think of another family going through what we're going through now. Even if it puts one child off taking their own life, hopefully, no-one should feel isolated enough to do this," Mike added.
A 'JustGivingPage' has been set up in memory of Beth and her family are hoping to start a charity in her name. The campaign has already managed to raise around more than £10,000 ($12,364). The family hopes to take mental health first aid in creative colleges and universities to help students who could be struggling.
Many of Beth's friends took to social media to express their grief and share their condolences. Her former teachers at the Sale High School also paid tribute to her in a statement and said, "We are devastated to hear of the sad death of former student Beth Palmer."
"Beth was a truly wonderful and hugely talented student. She was loved by all who knew her," the statement added.
If you are struggling, Samaritans is there to offer free support 24/7 on 116 123.
Papyrus' Hopeline is also available to help young people on 0800 068 41 41