- A university student, Georgina Owen, took her own life after developing delusional beliefs linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- An inquest concluded that the 21-year-old's B12 deficiency was a direct result of her vegan diet, which she had followed since 2016, and her failure to take supplements.
- Ms Owen was found at her home in September 2019 and died two days later in hospital.
- The coroner, Elizabeth Gray, said that psychiatric manifestations caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are “recognised”.
- An expert report suggested that Ms Owen's cognitive impairment, anxiety, and difficulty with decision-making before her death indicated a gradually developing psychiatric disorder.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
IN FULL
Vegan diet may have triggered delusions which caused student to take her own life
