THE story of Michael Russell is a truly tragic one.

Anyone with a loved one suffering from mental health problems must have a list of extra worries.

But for the story to end with them dying of a preventable pulmonary embolism must be unbelievably hard to accept.

His mother Janet Richards has shown courage in speaking about the problems her son faced.

It is reassuring to know mental health bosses have put in place a series of measures to improve the way they deal with such cases.

The tragedy is that it is too late for Mr Russell.

Let’s just hope it stops the same happening to anyone else.