ADHD campaign by grieving parents leads to meeting with health ministers

After their 19-year-old son Matthew took his own life in 2023, Christine and Richard Lock have campaigned for earlier ADHD diagnosis and greater awareness and were invited to meet health ministers.

Matthew Lock, a 19-year-old former local councillor and occasional television guest, died by suicide in September 2023. His parents, Christine and Richard Lock, believe the death was impulsive and linked to undiagnosed or late-diagnosed ADHD. Since then they have campaigned for earlier diagnosis and greater understanding of links between ADHD, impulsivity, addiction and suicide. Their activities have included joining an NHS task force and setting up a charity focused on education and awareness. Key facts: - Matthew Lock died in September 2023 at age 19; his parents describe the death as impulsive and believe ADHD was a factor. - The Locks say Matthew had an autism diagnosis and that an ADHD diagnosis took years to be made. - They have participated in an NHS task force, established a charity for education and awareness, and pressed for faster diagnosis and clearer clinical understanding. - The couple attended a Westminster Hall debate on ADHD and were invited to meet officials at the Department for Health and the mental health minister to discuss next steps. Summary: The Locks' campaign has drawn attention in parliament and prompted NHS England, according to a government response, to update online content about ADHD and to highlight associated risks. They have been invited into the Department for Health to discuss how to progress the work further; further policy outcomes are undetermined at this time.