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BBC Panorama documentary investigate NHS failures which led to Callie Lewis' death

A documentary exploring the failures which led to a young woman's suicide will be aired on television tonight.

BBC's Panorama has been filming with the family of Callie Lewis from Dover for 16 months.

Callie Lewis will be at the centre of a BBC documentary Picture: Kent Police
Callie Lewis will be at the centre of a BBC documentary Picture: Kent Police

The 24-year-old's body was found in a tent in Cumbria on August 21, 2018, just over two weeks after she was released from Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust in Dover.

Originally from Chatham, she had been sectioned into a mental health centre after a friend told her mother, Sarah Lewis, that she intended to take her own life.

A two-week inquest in Maidstone in November ruled her death was suicide, contributed by neglect.

Now, Ms Lewis' family will try to understand what went wrong as their much-loved daughter and sister fell through the cracks of an understaffed and overstretched system.

'Failed by the NHS: Callie’s Story' is on BBC1 tonight at 8.30pm.

Callie Lewis was 24 years old when she took her own life
Callie Lewis was 24 years old when she took her own life

Ms Lewis who had autism was passionate about wildlife, particularly grey wolves.

During her stay in Kent, she would spend hours studying the animals at the Kent Wildlife Park 'Wildwood Trust' in Herne Bay.

Those close to her believe, that it was one of the only places where she felt at ease, free from her inner turmoil.

Wildwood Trust director general, Paul Whitfield, said: "We feel deeply sorry for the family and for their loss of a bright young mind.

"We are comforted by the fact that Wildwood Trust had such a positive impact on Callie and that it gave her moments of peace and happiness. Nature has an innate ability to heal humans.

Panorama has been filming with Callie Lewis' family for 16 months
Panorama has been filming with Callie Lewis' family for 16 months

"Wolves and dogs have a deep connection with humans – our ancestor probably hunted with them over the last 100,000 years, we evolved together with a deep connection that both affected the wolf’s development and our own."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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