A 21-year-old dad is believed to have taken his own life after struggling with lockdown.
Red Gale, died on April 1 after sending a message to his mum and close friends "to say goodbye", Wales Online reports.
Red's sister Autumn Gale said he had suffered with mental health issues including depression and anxiety and claimed he was carrying "the weight of the world on his shoulders".
"He told my mum that he wouldn’t make it through the lockdown," Autumn said.
"He had so many friends and family who cared about him but when the rules started he lost that huge support system.
"We tried really hard to take the pain away from him but he struggled."
Tributes have been paid to the young man, who was described as a talented singer and gym enthusiast.
Autumn, 26, said: “My brother was funny, loyal and thoughtful, he went above and beyond for so many people, especially people who were struggling with their own mental health.
"So many of his friends have said that he pulled them out of a deep dark place a number of times and he was a caring dad to his daughter.
“He had been struggling with his mental health for a couple of years and was let down so many times.
"His friends and family, we were all fighting for him but he couldn’t do it anymore and gave up the fight.”
In a tribute to her son, Red’s mum Polly Gale said: “You had a soft, warm and loving heart.
"A heart that would fiercely protect the vulnerable, because you understood how it felt.
"You lived with a wounded heart for far too long and I wished everyday that the universe would protect you to heal that beautiful heart of yours.”
The family are now asking for more support for people struggling with their mental health, especially during the lockdown.
“He was let down, we reached out to services, GPs, hotlines and everything but as soon as the pandemic started it felt like he was being passed around and that they closed the doors on him", Autumn said.
"Everything was about the virus. I took him to the GP myself around two weeks before the lockdown but they said because of his age that the best thing to do was to take him to the drop-in centre which was around 30 miles away."
Alongside his siblings and close family, a number of friends also paid tribute to Red in a funeral which was streaming on Wednesday, April 15.
In a tribute to the 21-year-old, the S4C building in Carmarthen was lit Red after the NHS clap on Thursday last week and a picture of him was projected on the building.
To help with funds towards funeral expenses, a family friend has set up a gofundme page which has already raised more than £4,000.
Dr Warren Lloyd, associate medical director and clinical director for mental health and learning disabilities service in Hywel Dda University Health Board, would like to offer condolences to the family and invite them to contact the health board directly via its patient support team.
“The health board would like to assure the local population that the mental health and learning disability services have undertaken significant Covid-19 preparedness planning to ensure that essential mental health and learning disability services continue to be delivered effectively and efficiently, whilst maintaining both staff and patient safety within the government guidelines and advice.
“Mental health crisis provision is designated an essential service for people of all ages and have been preserved and will be further enhanced as and when required in response to the Covid-19 pandemic for people both in hospital and within the community.
“In the event of an unexpected death of a person known to mental health services a full clinical review is undertaken in line with the Welsh Government reportable incidents process.
"The purpose of the review is to complete an investigation to ensure that any failings or learning can be identified and the appropriate actions taken.
"We endeavour in these situations to liaise with families and loved ones to ensure that their concerns are listened to and addressed throughout the clinical review process.”
- Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org
