Jack Barnes is in a vegetative state (Picture: Mercury)

A heartbroken mother has released photos of her son, who is in a vegetative state after attempting suicide.

Jack Barnes, 19, was 15 when he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder – with outbursts so bad that he would destroy his room and self harm.

He spent three years going to group therapy sessions, and eventually went back to college – giving his mum Helen hope that things were going to improve for him.

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But on March 4, she became extremely worried when she heard the front door open and close at 9.30pm, and got a text from Jack that read: ‘I have just popped out. Don’t worry xxx’




As it was out of character for him to leave the house alone, Helen called Dyfed Powys Police. Officers found his body hanged in a woodland at around 10.30pm.

Jack had been ‘dead’ for around 10 minutes before the police started performing CPR. After he was revived, the teenager was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma for two weeks.

Now Helen, who has given up her job to spend her days with her ‘vegetative’ son, has shared photos of Jack’s struggle.

He is receiving therapy at a neuro-rehab clinic (Picture: Mercury)

‘No mother should have to see their child in intensive care, hooked up to all those machines,’ she said. ‘It was absolutely heartbreaking.

‘And after the pain of having to accept that my son wanted to die and spending every day at his bedside praying that he wouldn’t, we found out he will live – but with no quality of life. It was devastating.

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‘Jack’s body was deprived of oxygen for so long that he will be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.

‘He will never eat again, speak again, he will never have a girlfriend, get married, have kids or have any independence. To know that as his mum is awful, every day is a battle to keep going.

‘We have always had this saying in our house that “mum’s hugs fix everything”, but they won’t fix this, no matter how hard I try.’

Jack, pictured here before the incident, seemed to be turning a corner before he attempted to take his own life (Picture: Mercury)

Jack, pictured with his twin sister Lucy, had been going to group therapy for three years (Picture: Mercury)

After the incident, Jack remained in intensive care at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, until June 1. He was then transferred to a neuro-rehab unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital in south Wales.

Jack has received ‘brilliant’ care and support at the rehab centre, with daily physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions.

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Although he will never be able to verbally communicate again, doctors hope that one day Jack will be able to operate a switch on a communication device and an electric wheelchair.

Over the last eight months he has learned how to move his hands from an armrest to his lap, and to blink once for ‘no’ and twice for ‘yes’.

When Helen asks her son if he still wants to die, he blinks twice.

Helen said he was ‘dead’ for 10 minutes before police managed to perform CPR (Picture: Mercury)

She said: ‘It has been horrendous but we can’t go back now.



‘I just hope that by sharing his story, I can encourage people to talk more about their mental health and stop other kids going through what Jack has.’

A Heddlu Defyd Powys Police spokeswoman said: ‘Concerns were raised for an individual’s welfare at around 10.30pm on Saturday, March 4 2017.

‘Officers located an 18-year-old male in Saundersfoot and he was taken to hospital.’

Helen is raising money to refit her home so that Jack can move back in with her. To donate click here.

Need support? Contact the Samaritans For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.