An inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Alice Yong died at her home in Gorleston on February 19, 2024. 

The 36-year-old had been found by her mother, Celia Yong, in her bedroom shortly before 8.30am. 

The pair lived together and had spent the previous evening looking at new clothes Miss Yong had bought for an upcoming interview. 

Miss Yong then went to her bedroom at around 8pm and remained there for the rest of the evening. 

The next morning, after discovering her daughter, Ms Yong called 999. 

An ambulance crew arrived at the house at 8.32am and confirmed that Miss Yong had died at the scene. Her medical cause of death was given as hanging.

Johanna Thompson, area coroner for Norfolk (Image: The Coroners' Society)

The inquest took place over two days in November last year and earlier this month Johanna Thompson, area coroner for Norfolk, concluded that Miss Yong died by suicide. 

Born in Great Yarmouth, Miss Yong was employed as a mental health support worker for the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) - the NHS body responsible for mental health services - where she had been working for six years. 

Justine Shepperson, a nurse consultant at NSFT, explained to the court Miss Yong had called 111 just weeks before, on January 3, 2024, and said that she was struggling with low mood and thoughts of suicide. 

Miss Yong was then placed in the care of a mental health crisis resolution team at Hellesdon Hospital and received intensive support from the team until mid-January, when she was transferred into the care of the community mental health services. 

During the inquest, Ms Yong had outlined her daughter's mental health history, which included previous attempts to take her own life. 

A statement read to the court described how her mother was "proud" of her for calling 111 in January 2024 while struggling with her mental health. 

She added: "Alice's friends and family do not believe she received the help she deserved." 

A coroner has ruled Alice Yong died by suicide at her home in February 2024 (Image: Supplied by family)

A pen portrait from Miss Yong's family - which included her parents and siblings – read out to the court said: "She always wanted to help everyone and make them happy." 

They described her as a "very happy" child but said she started to become anxious and "found life very difficult". 

They highlighted her "soft and gentle nature" and said when her godfather started to lose his mobility she became his "right-hand" and acted as a "guardian angel" to him. 

They added: "All she wanted to do was help people who were going through the same things as her." 

They said she loved her work and it gave her "purpose and meaning". 

One of Miss Yong's former NSFT colleagues also paid tribute to her during the inquest. 

They said she had supported so many people in her six years working for the service and was held in "deep affection". 

They added: "She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and service users alike." 

Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

‘WE ARE DEVASTATED BY HER LOSS’ 

Following the conclusion of the inquest, Ms Yong paid tribute to her daughter and called for more action to raise awareness of mental ill health, adding that her daughter deserved better. 

She said: “Ali was a beautiful, kind and compassionate person who dedicated herself to helping others with their mental health. She cared deeply about the people she supported and was passionate about her work.  

“Ali was a very strong lady and tried so hard to cope with her mental health. She had an interview planned with a mental health charity to further her career.

"She gave so much to other people it is a shame that when she really needed it herself it did not come in time.

“We hope that sharing her story will help raise awareness about the importance of mental health support, especially for those who work in caring professions. 

“Our family is devastated by her loss, and we miss her every day.”

© Norwich Evening News