The sudden and unexpected death of a popular 21-year-old Devon man has inspired his loved ones and friends to try and get men to be more open about their mental health. Keen footballer Jake Moyes, who had been struggling with an injury and financial concerns because it meant he was not able to work, ended his life at his home in Crediton on June 5, 2022.
An inquest at Exeter Coroners Court yesterday, August 8, heard that although he had admitted to feeling down and had been waiting to start talking therapy with NHS Talkworks the day after his death, he had never shared suicidal thoughts with his family or close friends.
The medical records of Jake, who was born in Barnstaple, stated he ruptured his achilles while playing football in January 2022 and had to have surgery. His GP said in a statement that Jake had since been drinking heavily and was angry as he was unable to play football. On the advice of his doctor, he self-referred himself to Talkworks on April 27, 2022, but tragically died before his first appointment.
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In a statement, his sister Rebecca Summers described Jake as a 'cheeky lad' who grew into a popular and well-liked young man. After leaving school, Jake - affectionately better known as JJ - did an apprenticeship in carpentry but left the industry behind and worked for a circuit board manufacturer and also for delivery company DPD.
She recalled he suffered injuries to his achilles three times causing him to be in and out of work due to his inability to drive. His plan had been to get back into carpentry.
In the months leading up to his death, she said he 'broken down' in front of family and sought help for his mental health from his doctor.
Rebecca recalled: "He said he was not happy or coping well. I think he was struggling to cope as he had no money, he was in and out work and struggling with his leg."
However, she said she didn't believe he was in debt and in the days leading up to his death he had been in 'good spirits', sociable and talking about job prospects.
Shocked by his death, she said: "It makes no sense to us as a family." She added: "He was great with my children; Jake was my son's hero."
The night before his death, Jake had been out with friends watching Exeter Chiefs before they headed back to Crediton and went to the pub.
One of his close friends he was out with told in a statement how he left Jake in the pub at around 1am and that he had seemed in 'high spirits' and they had made plans together the next day.
He described Jake as a confident, fun and well-liked 'genuine lovely guy' who could get 'down and depressed' and had been low recently due to money concerns and being sat at home all day.
Devastated by his death, he said: "I cannot get my head around it. He was a Jack the Lad fun guy. A massive thing was his family. He was family-orientated and so proud of them. He doted on his nieces and nephews."
Shatter the Silence
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.
Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.
We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.
Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems
HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives
THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.
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The last person Jake is believed to have been in touch with was a close friend who had moved out of Devon. The pair exchanged a series of Snapchat messages from 3am to 5.15am after he returned from his night out.
The messages were said to be 'not out of the ordinary'. The friend told how Jake had started struggling with his mental health from the age of 16 and had periods of 'feeling down'.
He said: "He was always struggling with money and that got him down. In the last two years he was down more... but I never thought he was so down he was suicidal."
He added: "He was always very happy and jolly, really kindhearted and always put other people before himself. He was family oriented and well-liked."
The cause of his death was confirmed as hanging while intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine which could have led to impaired judgement and decision making. A suicide note was found at his home.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, coroner Philip Spinney said: "Taking the evidence as a whole, I consider Jake ended his life."
He added: "At the time he was intoxicated, however, he was able to exchange messages on social media and capable of … forming the intention to end his life."
Following his death, tributes poured in from Jake's family and friends and a story was published on DevonLive. Jake grew up in Lapford with his family and was into football from a young age. He started youth football at Crediton Saints and went on to get scouted to join the Exeter City Youth programme.
Sadly he broke his leg and from then on was in and out of football playing for local teams such as Lapford, Bow and Witheridge throughout his adult football career. Jake was a fully qualified carpenter and was looking to get back into the trade after recovering from surgery on his leg.
Paying tribute to him, his family said: "JJ was a loved son, brother, grandson, uncle, cousin and friend to many. JJ had a big circle of friends and was very popular and well-known for his sarcastic banter.
"He was always putting others first and was the life of the party, always smiling and making everyone laugh. He was a proud uncle to Milo and Eliza and he was and will always be their hero.
"The family have been overwhelmed by the support and love on the GoFundMe page to celebrate JJ’s life. The family are now hoping to use the funds and any remaining donations to give Jake the send-off he deserves and are currently looking at ways to give everyone that loved JJ somewhere to go and remember him.
"The family would like to thank everyone that loved Jake and remind people that there is no shame in accessing support for your mental health and that recognising it’s something you need support with it not a weakness. Please reach out if you are suffering and remember you are not alone."
