Friday, April 3, 2020

Man, 34, takes own life after being ‘pushed over edge’ by coronavirus isolation

Daniel Furniss, 34, who lived by himself in Crookhorn, near Portsmouth, had stayed indoors for weeks as his diabetes made him particularly vulnerable to the spread of Covid-19.
Daniel Furniss, 34, was a ‘big kid at heart’ who was ‘loved and adored by so many people’ (Picture: PA)

A man who battled bipolar disorder took his own life in self-isolation after loneliness ‘pushed him over the edge’ amid the UK coronavirus lockdown.

Daniel Furniss, 34, who lived by himself in Crookhorn, near Portsmouth, had stayed indoors for weeks as his diabetes made him vulnerable to the spread of Covid-19.

His body was found at his house by police on the morning of March 27, after his family became concerned they could not contact him.

Daniel was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager and had been unable to work because of his mental health condition.

Best Quality Available Undated handout photo issued by Chelsea Furniss of Daniel Furniss, who had bipolar disorder, and who his family have said took his own life after being unable to cope with self-isolating during the Covid-19 crisis. PA Photo. Daniel Furniss died last week after struggling with the lockdown at his home in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Issue date: Friday April 3, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus Bipolar. Photo credit should read: Chelsea Furniss/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
The young man stayed indoors as his diabetes diagnosis made him vulnerable to Covid-19 (Credits: PA)

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In the days before his death, the young man posted on social media saying: ‘There is not enough guidance for people with mental health issues.’

Heartbroken sister Chelsea Furniss, 28, has paid tribute to her sibling, saying he was ‘loved and adored by so many people’.

She told MailOnline: ’He would always dress very bright and colourful – you couldn’t miss him.

‘Dan brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives. Although he was aged 34 he was just a big kid at heart.’

Chelsea has called for more help for people struggling with mental health issues in isolation after her brother’s passing.

She said: ‘Dan had a long history of mental health issues and one of the things he struggled with was being on his own.

Man took his own life after being unable to cope with self-isolating Daniel Furniss https://www.facebook.com/dan.furniss.5
Before his death, he posted on Facebook saying ‘there is not enough guidance for people with mental health issues’

‘He lived on his own but would go out every day. Dan had diabetes and was classed as a high-risk person so after lockdown he was unable to go out which we think pushed him over the edge.

‘We were concerned about him being in isolation and stayed in touch but were not able to see him. We tried our best and let him know we were there for him.

‘More could be done to help people who are struggling while self-isolating. Hopefully what’s happened with Dan can raise awareness of these issues.’

A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for Daniel’s funeral has raised more than £2,000.

Need support? Contact the Samaritans

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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