Tributes after 'loving' dad, 23, tragically dies in self-harm act gone wrong
A young dad who died after an act of self-harm went wrong has been described as a "kind soul who wanted to help everyone".
Callum Dodds, 23, was found lying on his bed in Hull last August.
He had struggled with mental health and self-harming for several years, an inquest heard.
Coroner Lorraine Harris ruled out suicide and concluded his tragic death was due to an act of self-harm that went wrong.
Callum's mum Emma Dodds paid an emotional tribute and urged others struggling with mental health to speak to loved ones and not keep it bottled up.
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She said: "Callum was a lovely lad. He was so kind and I am proud to be called his mum. He had a really strong work ethic. He was strong-willed but he was also a kind soul who wanted to help everyone. But that could also put more pressure on himself. He always made sure others were put first.
Coroner Lorraine Harris ruled out suicide and concluded his tragic death (Google)"He kept certain things from us but we'd rather have known everything so we could have helped him. I would urge anyone else who is suffering like Callum did to speak to their loved ones.”
Callum was born and grew up in Scunthorpe and his mum Emma described him as a "typical young boy" with a good group of friends, GrimsbyLive reports.
There were no concerns over his mental health until he began to self-harm in the lead-up to his GCSE exams.
But afterwards, he returned "usual bubbly self" and he met his partner Paris who he later married and had two children. But he suffered from paternal postnatal depression after becoming a dad at such a young age.
He was creative and musically talented and took part in a council scheme in North East Lincolnshire which helps young people develop their rock music talent.
He had a history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts but had sought professional help. He was put on antidepressants and was later diagnosed with a depressive disorder. He was also advised to seek counselling and undergo cognitive behavioural therapy but declined, citing not having enough time due to work commitments.
He set up his own business in 2020 but the impact of Covid meant his venture struggled and the stress of trying to keep it afloat took a toll on Callum. His depression became more acute when his marriage effectively ended in July 2022. His low mood and suicidal thoughts became worse.
On the day before his death, Callum was with his family. He appeared a little down and made a couple of throwaway comments about killing himself. He also revealed he had been signed off work with depression.
But his family had no concerns over his immediate welfare. He talked about meeting his brother and sister later that week and spoke to his dad about decorating one of his children’s bedrooms.
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The inquest also heard how, shortly after his breakup with Paris, he met another girl and their relationship blossomed very quickly. They often talked about suicide because she also suffered from depression.
They both spoke about suicide the day before he died but the conversation appeared to be lighthearted.
In her statement, the girlfriend said: "I did not believe, from these messages, he would carry out suicide. I believed it to be a joke like he often did. He had his two children at home and I did not believe he would leave them alone."
In her statement, Paris told the inquest she and Callum met when they were quite young and were together for five years. They had been married for a year and had two young children together.
She said she knew he self-harmed and added: "He expressed suicidal thoughts but I never believe he would ever do it. I always thought of him as the boy that cried wolf.”
Paris went round to the family home on Rawcliffe Grove in Hull on the morning of August 8 2022 and found their two children secure in a bedroom and he was in another bedroom lying lifeless on the bed. She rushed over to help him but he was not breathing and had no pulse.
Other than the therapeutic levels of his prescribed antidepressant medication, Callum had no other drugs or alcohol in his system.
Coroner Mrs Harris told the family she had thought long and hard about what conclusion to come to. She told them she could not be satisfied the intent was there for Callum to kill himself, especially as his children were present in the house at the time and he had previously self-harm as a coping mechanism.
She went on: "This was a young man who was troubled and had self-harm tendencies but he was also creative and left no note. I believe this was a self-harm act gone wrong.
"It speaks volumes to see so many people at the inquest. I can tell just from the papers I have read how much Callum was loved. He was certainly very loving himself."
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email or visit their site to find your local branch
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