In August 2020, a 26-year-old student nurse named Bronwen Morgan tragically took her own life in a hotel room in Pentwyn, Cardiff. The subsequent investigation revealed that Ms. Morgan had researched suicide methods online prior to her death, raising concerns about the availability of online forums discussing suicide. South Wales Central coroner Graeme Hughes has issued a prevention of future deaths report to both the UK and Welsh governments, urging them to take action to prevent more lives from being lost.
During the inquest in October, it was revealed that Ms. Morgan had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Her family described her as a bright and beautiful individual. Evidence presented at the inquest showed that she had registered on discussion forums and actively engaged in conversations about suicide methods. This troubling information has led Mr. Hughes to express his concern that vulnerable individuals, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, have access to websites that facilitate or promote suicide.
In response to this distressing situation, Mr. Hughes has called for action to address the availability of these websites. He believes that steps should be taken to remove, limit, or mitigate their accessibility, as they pose a significant risk to individuals in vulnerable mental states. This plea for action comes at a time when leading broadband providers in the UK have already taken measures to block access to a website found to be promoting suicide. A BBC investigation even uncovered a connection between this particular forum and over 50 deaths in the UK.
The tragic loss of Bronwen Morgan serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of online forums discussing suicide methods. It highlights the fact that vulnerable individuals may turn to these platforms for advice and support, unknowingly putting their lives at risk. It is crucial for authorities, internet service providers, and mental health organizations to work together and take swift action to address this issue and prevent further tragedies. By limiting the availability of these harmful websites, we can create a safer online environment and potentially save lives.