In the wake of an inquest into her tragic death, the parents of Leah Taylor, a 20-year-old woman found dead at a private mental health unit in south Manchester, have expressed their heartbreak.

Leah was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom at the Eleanor Hospital, an independent women's mental health facility located on Palatine Road in Didsbury, in June of last year. She had been transferred there from an NHS hospital in May for specialist treatment for emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD).

At the time of her death, Leah, from Urmston, Trafford, was detained under the Mental Health Act and was subject to 15-minute observations. It was during a gap between these checks that she self-harmed, resulting in fatal injuries. A jury subsequently recorded a conclusion of misadventure.

The jurors highlighted that Leah's death was, in part, due to decisions made regarding her observations. They concluded she should not have been left alone following a previous self-harming incident just minutes before.

Leah's parents, Helen and Paul, have called for changes in mental health care, stating that if her "care had been managed differently," she might still be alive today.

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Leah's parents described her struggles with EUPD, also known as borderline personality disorder, stating that the condition made it difficult for her to regulate her emotions. Helen explained how Leah faced challenges during her teenage years, often feeling unworthy of help.

Paul further shared that there is a significant lack of support for individuals with mental health issues, especially among young people. He emphasized the importance of validating the feelings of those suffering from such conditions.

Paul noted a distressing incident that took place the day before Leah succumbed, where she was informed that an aggressive incident towards a staff member would be reported to the police, potentially exacerbating her emotional state.

The parents encouraged others facing similar challenges to maintain open communication and to seek support from friends and family, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing mental health issues.

Leah's mother recalled her daughter's passion for dancing, reminiscing about Leah’s performance at Wembley with Pixie Lott and her artistic talent, which left a lasting impression on her family.

The family released a statement following the inquest, affirming Leah's impact on their lives and expressing their profound loss. They described her as their "light" and emphasized the love that bound their family.

A spokesperson for Eleanor EHC Limited, which operates the facility, expressed condolences to Leah's family, acknowledging the unfortunate incident and inviting the family to help plant a memorial in her memory in the hospital gardens.