Alec Channing, an 18-year-old student at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), tragically passed away on January 27, 2022, after being found dead in his room. Known to friends and family as "Kieran," Alec had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) shortly after beginning his university course in September 2021. His parents have expressed deep frustration with the mental health care he received, which they believe was inadequate and poorly managed.
Alec's struggles with mental health began before his university years, with four suicide attempts before starting his course. In January 2022, he was detained in a Devon hospital under the Mental Health Act. However, the planning of his care following this hospitalization was insufficient. The university's welfare staff lacked training in EUPD, leaving Alec vulnerable without the necessary support.
The coroner in Alec's case highlighted "missed opportunities" by NHS trusts to intervene. Alec's parents were particularly disheartened by the mental health treatment he received since the age of 15. They stated that they were left uninformed on how to best assist their son in managing his condition.
"We were never advised how, as parents, we could help or manage his condition." – Alec Channing's parents
Further compounding the tragedy, an NHS appointment scheduled days before Alec's death was canceled due to him contracting Covid-19. Alec's parents remarked that he was "left to his own devices" despite clear concerns about his safety. Fellow students had reported their worries to AUB two weeks prior to Alec's death, yet he returned to Bournemouth without apparent intervention.
"His care worker was supposed to have referred him to the Bournemouth mental health team but soon after went on long-term sick leave and never came back." – Alec Channing's parents
The coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths Report underscored the appointment cancellation as another "missed opportunity." Despite these findings, neither AUB, Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, nor Devon Partnership NHS Trust provided comments when approached by the BBC.
"Although we had suspicions throughout his journey that the healthcare professionals could have done more, we were always trusting and hoping they were doing their best." – Alec Channing's parents
In memory of Alec, specially-built benches have been placed at a school in Ottery St Mary and in Exminster, serving as a poignant reminder of a young life lost too soon.
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