THE mother of a man who hanged himself in woodland near his home has criticised mental health services for the treatment he received.

Eric Michael Marchant, 32, was given a relaxing CD instead of medication before he took his own life near Clehonger. The inquest heard that the crisis team had become involved in the care of the building labourer after he was taken to Hereford County Hospital's A&E with a cut to his arm just days before his death on November 12.

Hospital staff later found him attempting to hang himself in the toilet and called the crisis team, who assessed him as a medium risk of suicide.

Stonebow Unit crisis assessor Martin Foster told the inquest that Mr Marchant admitted hearing voices in his head and had been depressed for many years.

The young dad had attempted suicide previously and, the inquest was told, feared his marriage was coming to an end.

But despite admitting he wanted help with his mental health, Mr Marchant declined voluntary admission to Hereford's Stonebow Unit and was discharged home, where he was later visited by Stonebow staff.

He attended an appointment the next day, where he told staff his wife did not wish to continue their relationship but had told him he could remain at the house.

Mr Marchant went missing from his home that afternoon and was later found hanging in woodland near his home by police.

Advanced life support was administered by paramedics, but Mr Marchant was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Louise Brunnarius, said she did not understand why her son was not taken seriously, given his previous attempts to end his life.

"Young men are dying from suicide," Ms Brunnarius said.

"It happens over and over again and no one is doing anything about it.

"I do not understand how he could have been assessed as a medium risk. Where was their duty of care?

"Why, when he had attempted to harm himself within A&E, did they then discharge him home where he was alone with me and two small children?

"Why was the only thing he was given was a relaxing music CD?"

Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell concluded that Mr Marchant had died from asphyxia due to hanging and recorded a conclusion of suicide.