John Balson’s family feels the system failed him after the inquest revealed a ‘high’ suicide risk before his death.
John was healthy and had one child with another on the way. He experienced migraines, dizziness, and insomnia. His family helped him seek medical care, and he saw many doctors.
A private specialist diagnosed John with vestibular migraine, which causes dizziness and balance issues. He attended many appointments, tried various drugs, and went to the ER twice. Despite the medical interventions, John felt constant pain.
He lost interest in hobbies such as running, cooking, and learning Japanese. John died on May 17th at age 40. An inquest was held in Maidstone, attended by his wife and mother.
Police found him at the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. CCTV footage showed his car stopping there; he exited the vehicle around 5:20 PM. Subsequently, the coastguard found his body, and it was determined that he died from a fall.
As a freelance TV producer, John faced considerable pressure while working on “In the Footsteps of Killers,” a true crime show. His job required him to research murders and paedophile cases.
During the inquest, a doctor reviewed John’s medical history, revealing frequent mentions of suicide. On April 18th, John expressed an inability to cope, describing constant despair, agony, and suicidal thoughts.
Doctors initially believed he was unlikely to act on these thoughts, as they felt he wanted to be there for his family. However, just three days later, he was categorized as “high risk,” leading his mother to feel she could not guarantee his safety.
He went to the ER but was discharged. He had another ER visit after a panic attack and expressed feeling hopeless. The migraine diagnosis and prescribed drugs did not improve his condition.
John’s journal revealed his desire for hope and to return to his former self. It also documented instances where he bruised his head by banging a bottle against it due to distress.
A lawyer questioned why hospitalization wasn’t pursued. The doctor stated that there was no perceived immediate risk, as he was engaged with pain treatment. She believed he was venting, rather than planning action.
Two days prior to his death, he spoke with their last call as he phrased it with his counselor John was calm during the conversation. The counselor perceived a diminishing level of family support.
John left a letter to his family, addressing mental health and overworking. He expressed regret for having prioritized work and trying to impress people.
He wrote about how TV bosses treat people like meat, with no regard for workers’ well-being. He acknowledged he should have taken more breaks.
John hoped his death would inspire change in the industry, urging others not to overwork and to prioritize balance, a lesson he learned too late. This is his last message to the world.
The coroner concluded John died by suicide and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. John’s family believed the system had failed him due to a lack of coordinated care.
They expressed that John is now free from pain, but his loss is profoundly difficult for them to comprehend. According to them, He was a wonderful husband, father, and son.
The NHS trust stated they are enhancing training and considering families’ perspectives. They extended condolences to John’s family and committed to improving services.
John’s widow characterized his death as a failure of the TV industry. Both John and his contributions were well-respected according to Channel 4 who expressed sadness at the news of his passing and they subsequently made an promise to support his family.
Channel 4 is conducting an investigation into his death, engaging with a union and hiring a law firm. A report detailing the findings will be released shortly.