Parents of girl, 14, found hanged in woods at top school 'feared she had been bullied'

A TALENTED teenager was found hanged in the grounds of a top grammar school after her parents feared she had been "bullied".

Horrified teachers found Elena Mondal, 14, unresponsive in a wooded area at Hampstead's exclusive Henrietta Barnett School last year.

A psychiatrist told Barnet Coroner's Court how the troubled teen may have hoped she would be discovered before it was too late.

The inquest heard how Shyamal and Moushumi Mondal feared that their daughter was being bullied at the girls' grammar - which was ranked the top performing state school in the country in 2016 and 2017.

Psychiatrist Dr Emily Hallgarten said Elena may have felt excluded by pals after not being included in a WhatsApp group.

School officials told how Elena - who wanted to be a doctor - once fled a classroom in tears clutching a pair of scissors, before collapsing in a corridor and cutting her arms in a toilet.

Henrietta Barnett wellbeing manager Kelly Barry said that Elena had been referred to the school counsellor after missing meals and complaining of depression - but had missed several appointments.

When asked if the school's "hothouse culture" could be putting pupils at risk of mental health issues, she said: "It is not unusual for teenage girls at different points to engage in experiments with food or self harm."

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Cathy Wainhouse added that Elena may not have intended to die - instead hoping that she would be found by palls before her "dramatic statement" went wrong.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Mind’s website.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqecsKtfaoZzhJRxamidnJq7onnMqKWdmZxitaK6xp6bZq%2BfpLG0ec%2BaqZ6mpKh6p7HAq5ydZZKqua21xJ1koZ2ep7amwNOaZJuZoqOytcCMrJqhp5%2BhfA%3D%3D