Heartbreaking story of 18-year-old beauty student Alex Duce has sparked conversations about mental health and emergency services’ response times. Alex tragically hanged herself in her Tredegar flat, passing away days later. An inquest revealed that emergency services had been informed of her situation but didn’t force their way into her flat until it was too late. It also highlighted distressing delays—officers had trouble locating the equipment needed for a forced entry, which took up vital time. The jury labelled this delay as “unacceptable.”
Despite Alex having previously taken an overdose, police officers didn’t assess her as an immediate threat based on the available information at the time. Her case was initially reported as concerning but not urgent enough for forced entry. The busy force, dealing with numerous welfare checks, made decisions based on prioritising resources, as they believed Alex’s case needed medical rather than police intervention.
Changes have since been made, with more entry kits available, aiming to prevent such dangers in the future. Alex’s mother, Angharad Lewis, champions these changes, hoping no other family endures the same heartache.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of recognising mental health signs and the roles different agencies play. It’s a reminder to constantly evaluate and improve our systems to protect vulnerable individuals.
If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone. Reach out to Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org for support. Let’s pledge to keep the conversation about mental health alive and be part of a community that watches over each other. 💔🕊
Remembering Alex Duce: Gone but forever in our hearts. Let’s make a change in her memory.