Gareth Liam Nolan, 30, died on May 2, having been placed on a life-support machine after being found hanging by his girlfriend at his flat in Halifax after the pair had been arguing and split up

A devastated mum described her son as ‘popular, caring and intelligent’ in a heartbreaking tribute following his death after a suicide attempt.

Gareth Liam Nolan, 30, had dreams of going to university and becoming a paramedic but had been struggling with his mental health since he was a teenager.

The father-of-one died in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on May 2, having been placed on a life-support machine after being found hanging by his girlfriend at his flat in Halifax after the pair had been arguing and split up, the inquest was told.

Police and paramedics had performed CPR at the scene before Gareth was taken to the hospital. After his death, his organs saved three people’s lives.

The cause of death was a brain injury caused by cardiac arrest and hanging, Yorkshire Live reported.

His mum Sharon Thompson told an inquest today that Gareth was a popular and intelligent person with three elder sisters, Joanne, Suzanne, and Samantha – who all adored him.

At the age of 11, he had become bored with school and had stopped wanting to go. He had started struggling with life and would question “what the point of it all was.”

Sharon said Gareth had begun self-harming aged 13 but she claimed children’s mental health services hadn’t provided any support.

She said Gareth had a son, Ashton, 10, who was his “joy” and was a “grounding factor” in his battles with mental health problems.

Sharon said her son was a caring person who enjoyed helping others, was a ‘beautiful soul’ and had wanted to be a paramedic.

He had written a song called ‘God Loves No-one’ which she said showed his true feelings towards the world and his own struggles.

The inquest heard that Gareth had a history of depression, self-harming, and taking overdoses of medication.

Assistant coroner Angela Brocklehurst concluded that Gareth had intended to take his own life.

She said: “Sharon has told me that her son was a beautiful boy – it is clear he was loved by his sisters and by all his family.

“He was an exceptional and different boy and man. He loved poetry and he wrote songs. He adored his son.

“And he made a great contribution towards the life of others in the short years he had available to him. And he wanted to do more.

“There is a tragedy here. The only thing I can say to you (Gareth’s family) is try and remember the wonderful things about Gareth – the way he lit up your lives and the wonderful father he was to his son.

“Carry those memories with you.”

How to get help: If you are struggling or you are worried about a loved one, contact Samaritans on 116123. For more advice visit nhs.uk/mental-health or www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus