A MOTHER-of-three who overdosed on the same night as her best friend had not made a suicide pact, an inquest heard.

Jane Swann died on July 2 after swallowing 18 to 20 antidepressant tablets, the hearing at Kendal County Hall was told.

Lynne Wilson, who lived with her at Westbrook Fields, Kirkby Stephen – a sheltered housing scheme for people with mental health problems – also took a number of pills but did not die. The inquest heard that Mrs Swann, 36, told Ms Wilson on July 1 that she was going to overdose and her friend replied: “Well if you are going to then I’m going to.”

The two had a barbecue the day before which, the inquest was told, Ms Wilson described as being the ‘last supper’ to another Westbrook tenant.

“We were the best of friends, we’d do anything for each other,” said a statement from Mrs Wilson read out at the hearing by Det Insp Furzana Nazir.

The inquest heard Mrs Swann had taken three overdoses in three weeks leading up to her death. On each occasion she said afterwards she regretted what she had done.

“I wanted her doctor to be here (at the inquest) so I could ask why after the second time he did not section her,” said her mother, Muriel Haden.

“After each of these overdoses Jane had said to people around her that she was sorry she had done it. She regretted it and she had messed things up.”

Recording an accidental death verdict, coroner Ian Smith said: “They were not attempts to kill herself, they were cries for help.

“She was saying: ‘I need more help than I am getting, please help me.’ I have no doubt that that was what they were.

"Jane and Lynne had talked about overdosing. This was not a suicide pact. It was just chatter."

Dr Shona Wilson told the inquest that Mrs Swann was a 'really jolly natured’ character who was always smiling and fun to be with.

The inquest heard that Mrs Swann’s mental health problems had developed over some time after she moved home with her husband and family from Stainton to Long Marton, and then building up after the birth of her third child.

She came to realise she needed help and went to see her GP, following which mental health and social workers also became involved.