As news of Beth Mathews’ tragic death spread, the world mourned the loss of a talented and accomplished young woman who touched the lives of so many…
26-year-old Beth Mathews’ status as a social media influencer has skyrocketed. She has achieved great success both in her profession as a yachtsman and as a mental health blogger for various social media platforms. However, Matthews is said to have sadly died while in a private psychiatric facility after ingesting poison she obtained online.
After receiving the poison, Matthews tricked hospital staff into believing it was protein powder rather than the poison it actually was. An inquest into the incident is now underway at Manchester South Coroner’s Court as detectives work to establish why the yachtswoman had the poison, whether she was trying to kill herself with it, or if it all happened by accident.
Matthews has made significant progress in her sailing career. Few people in the entire world can do what she did when she completed her first Fastnet race at the age of fifteen. On March 21, 2022, Mathews drank the poison and passed out rather quickly.
Matthews has been a successful mental health influencer and has thousands of followers on social media in addition to her achievements on the high seas. At the inquest, she was characterized as an “incredible character” and “bright and vivacious”.
She took the poison and contacted paramedics. After cardiac arrest, she was rushed to the hospital. However, she did not succeed and was already declared dead. Matthews was pronounced dead at Wythenshawe Hospital shortly after 4 am.
At Priory Cheadle Royal Hospital, Heald Green, located outside Manchester, UK, Matthews was being treated for a personality disorder. She was receiving specialist therapy while being held in a mental health facility under the Mental Health Act when she ingested the poison, which she bought from an internet trader.
Matthews spent much of her childhood and adulthood dealing with mental health issues. In April 2019, she attempted suicide. As a result of the suicide attempt, she experienced severe, ever-changing physical problems.
Giving evidence at the inquest, Assistant Coroner Andrew Bridgeman said Matthews “ingested a substance that came through the post, became unwell quite quickly [and] was rushed to hospital where she sadly died.”
During the inquest, paramedic Kate Barnes also spoke about trying to save Matthews after he was poisoned. According to Barnes, Matthews had “a package delivered to the unit that she opened in front of them and he managed to consume it.” A “small plastic container with a screw cap” was inside the box.
The presence of Matthews’ mother was also part of the investigation. Paying tribute to her late daughter, she said Matthews was able to help many people through his mental health blog. Every time someone responded to her content, she always responded in a “caring, intelligent, and eloquent” way.
As the world reflects on the life of Beth Mathews, it is a poignant moment to reassess existing support systems for those struggling with mental health issues. We must strive to create a compassionate and understanding environment where individuals feel safe to seek help and support without fear of judgment or stigma.
In conclusion, the passing of Beth Mathews is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations about mental health struggles. Her accomplishments as a yachtswoman and her influence as a mental health blogger showcase her resilience and compassion, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her. As we continue to deal with her untimely passing, let’s honor her memory by working to create a world where mental health is a priority and support is readily available for those who need it.