Failing Mental Health Services: Becki Luscombe Campaigner for Mind, dies after being treated in a Birmingham mental health ward

Mind Website:
http://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/becki-luscombe/#.VDCL7Nq9KK0

Becki Luscombe [Posted on 30/09/2014]

We are very sorry to share the news that Becki Luscombe, one of our 10 Voices of Mind, passed away earlier this week.
As an organisation and as individuals we are truly saddened by Becki’s death. She was a wonderful advocate for everybody with a mental health problem and leaves a huge legacy to challenge stigma and encourage openness.
Last Halloween, when two supermarkets chose to sell “mental patient” Halloween costumes, Becki initiated a social media response, tweeting a picture of herself in normal clothing. Thousands of other people followed suit, and her campaign directly led to apologies from both supermarkets.
As a Voice of Mind, Becki launched Mind’s election manifesto in Parliament, worked with her local Mind, met with her MP, and starred in our film about stigma and mental health. When we asked Becki why she got involved in the campaign, she said “through my own mixed experiences, I believe passionately that access to mental health services need to be on the government’s agenda. Our voices must be heard - it could transform and save lives.”
We have spoken to Becki’s family who are very proud of her involvement with Mind and have asked that she continues to feature in our campaigning work, as this was so important to her. We are proud to honour that request.
If you have been affected by Becki’s death, please seek support from those around you, if you can. Our Infoline (0300 123 3393) is open from 9am to 6pm and can help you find support near you. If you need to speak to someone outside of these hours, you can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

I've been told that by an online follower of Becki's Twitter account (@DuckBeaki) that she was able to kill herself on an understaffed ward. I am unable to confirm this, and Mind seems to be downplaying the exact nature of her death. Mind, like other charities are often very careful not to describe suicides for fear of triggering upset or even a suicidal act in others, not to mention being respectful to her family.

Even in her last few weeks she provides some insights into life on her ward in Birmingham.
Screen-captures from her Twitter account: