Spine injury patients ‘abandoned’ by NHS mental health as a third of sufferers consider suicide

People left disabled by spinal-cord injuries are being ‘abandoned’ by NHS mental health services, despite being far more likely to suffer severe depression.

Campaigners and doctors are calling for immediate action because new data suggests that a third sufferers often consider taking their lives, but only one third has been able access mental health care.

Last week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Spinal Cord Injuries presented the findings of the University of Reading-led study to Parliament.

Sunday’s Mail has received a variety of disturbing cases. One case was that of a mother of two who had been paralysed from a spinal injury and refused treatment. 

Despite her struggles – and the fact that her 14-year-old son tried to take his own life due to the stress of their situation – she said mental health support was ‘never even mentioned’ by anyone assigned to care for her.

Former teacher Donna Tuzul, 52, from Bournemouth, says there was ‘no mention at all’ of mental health support for depression  after a nerve disease destroyed her spinal cord and left her paralysed in a wheelchair

Another 25-year-old woman left paralysed from the waist down in early 2020 after falling off a chair at work and hitting her back on a desk was unable to access mental health support for more than a year, and suffered multiple breakdowns and ‘constant suicidal thoughts’ before her GP provided a referral. 

A 19-year old who was injured in a motorbike accident, became addicted to opioid painkillers and alcohol. He received no support from his family.

Dr Katherine Finlay, a psychologist at the University of Reading, said: ‘People with spinal-cord injuries regularly experience clinical anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. 

“Mental health problems are a silent epidemic for people living with chronic illnesses and injuries. The NHS must do something to tackle it.’

Experts advise that the new guidance should be created as soon as possible, giving patients instant access to a psychotherapist and ongoing check-ups.

Nik Hartley, CEO of the Spinal Injuries Association, said: ‘The mental health of these patients is an afterthought and, at worst, completely ignored by the medical profession. We need urgent action.’

An estimated 50,000 people live in the UK with a spinal cord injury. Every year, approximately 2,500 new injuries are added to this list.

The brain communicates with the spinal cord, which transmits information to all parts of the body. 

These can be interrupted by injury, which can cause partial or complete loss of movement. This can lead to life-threatening consequences. 

Many patients require a wheelchair and are often in pain. They also have problems with their bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Many will need full-time nursing.

The NHS recommends that patients with spinal cord injuries should receive a mental checkup at least every six months, for a period of two years. However experts caution this is not always the case.

Road accidents, falls or violent attacks are the most frequent causes of spinal injury. 

NHS guidance says that patients suffering from spinal-cord injuries must be offered a mental exam every six months, for a maximum of two years.

However, Dr Finlay claims that this is not always the case. ‘A lot of the time we hear these sessions are entirely focused on physical health. What’s more, four sessions over two years is not nearly enough. These patients need lifelong, rapid support.’

Kathryn Hill, director of programmes at the Spinal Injuries Association, says: ‘There is nothing there to support these patients following a catastrophic life-changing event. They have to work out what happens next on their own.’

Donna Tuzul, 52, says there was ‘no mention at all’ of mental health support after a nerve disease left her paralysed in a wheelchair. 

In 2015, after suffering from severe back pain, she was hospitalized with cauda-equina. This rare condition can cause permanent nerve damage.

‘I was told that by the time I got to hospital it was too late to do anything. Even if the surgeon performed an operation, he said that I would still be paralysed. I walked into hospital, and left three months later in a wheelchair.’

An estimated 50,000 people live in the UK with a spinal cord injury. The spine communicates information to the brain and all other areas of the body via the spinal cord. [File picture]

Donna believes her life was forever changed by Donna. ‘I couldn’t even get into my kitchen at first because of the wheelchair. I couldn’t cook for my children, I couldn’t put them to bed.’ 

Prior to her diagnosis, she had an active lifestyle. The sudden change left her ‘in a very dark place’. 

At the age of 12, her son (18 years old) began self-harm. He attempted to kill himself at the age of 14. 

Despite this, Donna, who also has a daughter aged 14, says: ‘Mental health treatment wasn’t mentioned by my doctors or carers who visited each day.’

Eventually, Donna requested to see a therapist through her GP but says: ‘The therapist gave me breathing exercises, but I didn’t that, I needed someone who could understand what I was going through and could give me practical advice.

‘I needed someone closer to a bereavement councillor because it felt like I’d lost my life.’

Samaritans can be reached at 116123 for confidential assistance.