A LOVING mum says she hopes the tragic death of her daughter could help save the lives of others who are living with mental health problems.

Dr Laurel Spooner was speaking after an inquest into the death of her daughter, Sophie.

The high-achieving former Colchester County High School for Girls student was working as a trainee paediatrician in Worthing when she took an overdose of prescription drugs.

The 26-year-old, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder five years ago, had worked a shift at Worthing General Hospital in October last year before returning to the flat she shared with her fiancé.

At some point that evening, the gifted junior doctor wrote a note to her family and friends before taking a fatal overdose.

Mum Dr Spooner, a well-known Colchester GP who founded the Tollgate Clinic, said: “She suffered from a chronic mental health illness and it needs the patient to be educated and empowered to understand their condition so they can spot the early signs of problems.

“Unfortunately, it is well-known doctors make for very reluctant patients.

“Even though Sophie medically knew what to look for, as with all doctors, she put the needs of her patients well above her own.

“Again, just like so many doctors, she was used to being the doctor and not the patient.

“And if you have got patients needing your attention, your own needs fall right down the list of priorities.

“In a sense, she put her own needs too low down the list.”

Sophie had just returned from a week-long holiday before she died and had gone to a concert with her older sister, Rosie, on the previous evening.

Dr Spooner added: “She learned to put up a very good front.

“No-one recognised the risk and it was such a devastating shock.

“Whatever happened that evening, her mind had been - I suppose - hijacked.”

Bipolar disorder is understood to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which can be corrected with medication but which may need changing from time to time.

Dr Spooner added: “You worry other people were doing so much better than you are.

“You think you are useless but nothing could be further from the truth.

“But none of the doctors or patients saw anything different in her. She learned to keep a strong front despite what she was feeling inside.”

The GP added: “With mood disorders, you learn how to cover it up and that’s what she did.

“She must have decided in the space of a few hours it was the best thing to do - for everybody.

“But her mind had been hijacked.”

According to national research, medical staff such as doctors and nurses are among the most at-risk professions, which is largely put down to the stresses of their work.

But Dr Spooner wants more people to know where to get support.

She added: “Sophie was surrounded by doctors, including myself, and she was still able to cover it up.

“I want to say to people, there is no stigma, it won’t affect your professionalism or your career but you need to know what to look for in yourself.

“If we can save one life from someone reading about Sophie, then that would be terrific.”

Dr Spooner is now working alongside doctors at Worthing and Brighton general hospitals to improve the safety net for doctors with mental problems who work in the NHS.

Sophie’s brother, Adam, has launched a fundraising drive to raise cash for the mental health charity, Mind.

He will be running 12 half marathons in 12 months and hopes to raise £5,000.

To contribute, click here.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.