A MUCH-loved drama teacher whose mental health suffered during the pandemic was found dead after being reported missing.

Andrew Swindley was discovered by police in Grassgarth near Haverthwaite on February 23.

A drama teacher of 25 years, Mr Swindley lived in Silverdale in Lancashire and taught at St Aidan's School in Poulton le Fylde where he was the Head of Drama.

The 54-year-old is survived by his wife Sarah, and children Edward, 24, and George, 17.

An inquest held at Cockermouth Coroner’s Court yesterday heard that Mr Swindley had a long history of type two bipolar disorder which had been well managed up until three years ago.

In a statement read out to the court Mr Swindley’s wife of 17 years Sarah said the pandemic took a toll on her husband’s mental health and he was signed off work for 18 months.

In the summer of 2021, Mr Swindley suffered a manic episode of bipolar following a family holiday to Scotland, during which time he quit his job and drained the couple’s bank accounts after being away for 11 weeks, the court heard.

Mrs Swindley said her husband was ‘fairly well’ up until Christmas 2021 after receiving support from the GP and was planning an early retirement from his job.

READ MORE: Tributes paid to much loved teacher Andrew Swindley

Mr Swindley began to deteriorate after Christmas, the hearing heard, and became ‘very distressed’ and ‘withdrawn’ in himself.

Mrs Swindley went to work on the day of February 23 and checked in on her husband throughout the day but became increasingly concerned when he did not answer her calls, the inquest was told.

After returning home, she discovered a note left by her husband and immediately rang the police who began a search. Paramedics and mountain rescue teams were called and Mr Swindley was found hanged at 8.20pm following a search of Woodhead near Grassgarth.

A statement submitted by Mr Swindley’s doctor at Ashtrees Silverdale Surgery read out to the court said he was suffering with work stress and relationship issues which had left him feeling low in mood.

He expressed suicidal thoughts but said he did not want to harm himself, the court heard.

The statement said Mr Swindley was seen by the Specialist Triage, Assessment and Referral Team (START) on February 15 and was presenting with depression but was motivated to improve his mental health and was engaging with services.

He told services that he was ‘overwhelmed by guilt’ following his actions during an ‘unexpected’ manic episode which ‘caused chaos’ but said he had no intention to take his own life despite having suicidal thoughts. Mr Swindley said the affect on his family were protective factors against harming himself, the inquest heard.

An incident investigation report prepared by Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) following Mr Swindley’s death found that he was provided with compassionate care but there were a ‘number of missed opportunities’ between primary and secondary care services.

However, these were not believed to be a specific cause of Mr Swindley’s death, the report said.

READ MORE: Students pay tribute to drama teacher Andrew Swindley

The investigation also found that possible assumptions were made due to the unfamiliarity with bipolar and a number of lessons had been learned as a result including better understanding of bipolar disorder and improvements to education about bipolar and manic episodes.

In response, the LSCFT said they were implementing training around bipolar disorder and hosting weekly multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) in Lancashire and South Cumbria for those with complex mental health needs as well as undertaking quality improvements.

In her summary, coroner Kirsty Gomersal said: “Andrew was a much-loved father and beloved husband. He loved his vocation as a teacher and missed that during the pandemic.” Ms Gomersal ruled Mr Swindley took his own life.

Call Samaritans on 116 123 if you need someone to talk to.