21-year-old Lancashire student took his own life after struggling with anxiety, hears Preston inquest

A " bright and much loved" Lancaster University student struggling with his mental health told a counsellor that he had a plan to end his life, an inquest was told.

But the counsellor felt there was no immediate risk and did not raise the alarm as he did not believe Finn Dickinson intended to carry out the threat.

Area coroner Emma Mather, sitting at Preston Coroner’s Court, recorded a suicide conclusion on Finn, aged 21, who was in his third year studying history at the university.

The inquest heard that Finn, from Whitley Bay, had a history of mental health problems. He was suffering from anxiety and seemed concerned about what the future would bring.

He was a good and popular student and keen gamer but was also suffering in private as he was anxious about the adult life that lay ahead of him

The hearing was told that Finn made changes to his appearance and began calling himself Rivers. By December 2025 he had been prescribed anti anxiety medication.

Finn thought he was autistic and was awaiting an appointment to see a specialist.

In June 2026 he was found dead in Williamson Park, Lancaster.

Lancaster GP Dr Rahul Keith said Finn had used the practice and had revealed his low mood and his use of medication. He asked for a rapid repeat prescription and this was agreed.

Dr Keith said the reordering and review process had been tightened up since.

The hearing was told that although Finn contacted the university's mental health support team he said he had no intention of self harming.

He self-referred to private counsellor Christopher Arridge in May 2026, saying he wanted support for anxiety. Mr Arridge said he had an autism appointment looming and at their first meeting he made no mention of suicide.

In June 2026 he said he had made a "suicide plan" and bought some items - but later said he was going to get rid of them.

Mr Arridge said it was early in the relationship and he thought by raising the alarm he would betray Finn's trust.

On June 19 he did alert police having not heard from Finn. Officers found a body in the park.

Coroner Ms Mather said it was clear that Finn intended to take his own life. She said that after the second meeting with Mr Arridge, Finn's revelations about a "plan" should have been escalated to others. But it was pure speculation as to what might have happened after that.

She expressed her condolences to Finn's family, who were present in court.

• Following Finn’s death, Lancaster University opened a book of condolence where staff and students paid tribute to a ‘bright, happy’ soul with a ‘moving’ love of history.