THE family of tragic barber Craig Durham has welcomed efforts by health chiefs to prevent suicides in Bolton.

Mr Durham was found hanged at Clyde’s Gents Stylists – the hairdressing business he owned – in Higher Market Street, Farnworth on January 16.

In October the 41-year-old, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, had crashed his 4x4 into the Dog and Partridge pub in Manor Street.

Mr Durham had faced charges in relation to the crash, in which an inquest this year heard he had intended to kill himself, and had been due to enter a plea at Bolton Crown Court.

His father Malcolm Durham, of Kingsway, Kearsley, said if his son had received more support for his acute paranoia, things might have been different.

He added: “My son was ill when he crashed his car. He was having a total breakdown — but he got no medical help at all.

“I think if there had been more help available for Craig things would have been different.

“Suicide is more common than you think. Since Craig died we have heard about several other instances in the area.”

Craig had drunk bleach the day before the Dog and Partridge crash and had visited A&E but had walked out of the waiting room before being seen.

He was diagnosed with psychosis by a psychiatrist in December, his inquest heard, but it was not recommended he be detained under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Durham added: “Losing Craig has been absolutely terrible. No parent should ever lose their child.”

NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has boosted funding for mental illness treatments by an extra £450,000 this financial year.

Reducing the premature deaths of patients suffering from severe and enduring mental health issues is a “high priority”, health bosses say.

Dr Barry Silvert, clinical director for integrated commissioning at NHS Bolton CCG, said: “Improving access to mental health services for the people of Bolton is a high priority for us at the CCG.

“We have been able to deliver vital additional investment through working collaboratively with partners from the local authority, the voluntary sector and other NHS bodies, and we are working with our providers to ensure that clear mental health targets are included in new or revised contracts.

“This approach is ensuring that people can get the support that they need to remain in their own homes and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.”