A SAUNDERSFOOT mother suffering from depression didn't get the help she needed and just days before her death was told she would have to wait for counselling, an inquest has heard.

Former landlady of the White Horse pub in Kilgetty, Clare Frances Pritchard returned to live in Saundersfoot after giving up the pub.

Coroner's officer, Jeremy Davies, said that her mental health had deteriorated after this and she made attempts on her life. 

In 2012 she was detained at Bro Cerwyn under the Mental Health Act.

After a week she was allowed to return home but didn't feel she got the support she needed, the inquest heard.

She sought help for issues with alcohol and depression and two weeks before her death had been told she would have to wait for counselling.

"I wish she could have had more help with her mental health," her mother, Diane Rigden, told the inquest.

"We did try".

Her stepfather added that their attempts to seek help had been carrying on for years but "just getting nowhere".

On January 18 of this year Ms Pritchard phoned her mother and seemed in good spirits.

Later that day she contacted friends and asked them to sign a hand written last will and testament.

She seemed upset and her friend invited her over for a few drinks and a chat.

When questioned, Mr Davies said that in this document Ms Pritchard had expressed an intention to take her life.

Later that evening Ms Pritchard went out for a cigarette, when she didn't return her friend went to find her.

She entered Ms Pritchard's flat but she was not inside. She was discovered outside her bedroom window.

Her friends commenced CPR. Ms Pritchard was taken to Withybush Hospital by ambulance but could not be revived.

A post mortem revealed a blood alcohol reading at just over three times the drink-drive limit, as well as the presence of anti-depressants and prescribed anti-arrhythmic medication, the combination of which can slow down breathing.

However, it gave the cause of death as hanging.

"Clare Frances Pritchard had a history of depression," concluded coroner Mark Layton.

"She has taken deliberate steps to end her life."

  • If you are struggling to cope, or just need someone to talk to, you can call Samaritans for free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.