A 22-year-old took his own life after experiencing drug-induced psychosis – prompting his mum to call for “more to be done” for people with mental health issues.

Aaron Jermy was tragically found dead by police in a field in St Martin’s Hill, Canterbury, in the early hours of December 17 following a frantic search by his family.

An inquest heard on Monday how Aaron – who had a history of drug-taking – had spoken to a doctor over the phone the day before his death, complaining of hearing voices and feeling paranoia.

Canterbury GP Rob Jolliffe told how Aaron had first visited him in 2016 complaining of “paranoid thoughts that people were watching him”.

“I was concerned he might have some psychotic traits,” he said.

He referred Aaron to the early intervention in psychosis team, but Aaron never attended the appointment.

In the months leading up to his death, Aaron had several consultations with GPs, all of which took place over the phone due to Covid-19 procedures.

Aaron told Dr Jolliffe in September that he was experiencing “paranoid ideas” and problems with sleep, prompting the GP to prescribe sleeping tablets.

“He was concerned that people might be looking at him, and about to hurt him,” said the doctor.

“But I didn’t think he was absolutely psychotic at that moment in time.”

Aaron had several more telephone consultations with GPs in October and November, with symptoms including insomnia and anxiousness, but expressed “no suicidal intent”.

Dr Jolliffe spoke to him for the last time on December 16.

“I remember it clearly,” he said. “Aaron was out walking in town.

“He said he did feel quite paranoid that people were wanting to hurt him.

“He had been paranoid for the previous two weeks. He felt scared.

“He had auditory hallucinations of lots of people talking at once, but wasn’t able to understand what was being said.”

Dr Jolliffe said there was nothing to cause concern for Aaron’s life.

“But the fact he was quite paranoid did concern me a bit,” he said. “I enquired about where he was going and he was going home, and had people at home who he felt safe with.

“He said prior to being a bit paranoid he had used a bit of cannabis, but he said he hadn’t used any other drugs.”

Aaron’s mum, Marie O’Leary, raised concerns at the inquest over the fact Aaron was not seen by a doctor in person.

“I know this is Covid, but on the phone isn’t a right assessment,” she said. “I don’t think you can gauge anything on the phone.”

Dr Jolliffe said he would have called Aaron in, had he had immediate concerns.

“I didn’t feel a need to see him in person that day,” he said.

He prescribed Aaron an anti-psychotic, and arranged a follow-up appointment for early in the New Year.

Unknown to Dr Jolliffe, Aaron was a recreational user of amphetamines.

His sister, Rachel, told the inquest she grew worried in the early hours of December 17 after Aaron made concerning remarks to friends before leaving home.

His sister, Rachel, told the inquest she believes Aaron used drugs to mask his mental health issues.

“He would go on benders and be awake for the next couple of days,” she said. “I’ve known him to have six days without sleep when on a bender.”

The day before Aaron’s death, he told her he had been “up for two days on speed”.

Rachel grew worried in the early hours of December 17 after Aaron made concerning remarks to friends before leaving home.

“To help families and people with mental health issues, so much more can be done…”

She tried to reach him by phone, before alerting her family who set out to search for him.

“I last spoke to him at 1.41am,” she said. “Aaron told me it was all sorted now, that he was going to call an ambulance so I wouldn’t find him. He went on to say ‘I’ll see you on the other side’.”

Rachel called the police, who sadly found Aaron dead shortly before 3am.

A toxicology report found a “potentially fatal level” of amphetamine in his system, while his cause of death was given as hanging.

Mrs O’Leary described her son as “a really lovely, caring, thoughtful person”.

The mum has previously spoken out in a bid to raise awareness of young male suicide, and to urge young people with mental illness to seek help.

Speaking after the inquest, she said: “Drugs and alcohol – it scares me. The amount of suicides I’m reading about with drug involvement is really, really scary.

“I don’t think mental health is being taken seriously. I think we need a real focus on mental health and drugs.

“I think to help families and people with mental health issues, so much more can be done.”

Ms Andrews opted not to give a recording of suicide and instead gave a narrative conclusion.

She said: “Aaron Keith Jermy died on December 17, 2020, at the open field opposite post office St Martin’s Hill, Kent, having been found hanging at that location.

“He sadly died from his injuries at the scene.

She said: “At post-mortem Aaron was found to have a potentially fatal level of amphetamine in his system and as such his intent to take his own life cannot be established on the balance of probabilities.”

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury