AN ARTISIC 20-year-old student has been found hanging in his Wrington home after suffering from depression.

AN ARTISTIC 20-year-old student has been found hanging in his home after suffering from depression.

Adam Smith was discovered by his father, David, who has spoken of his family’s complete shock’.

Mr Smith, a retired airline pilot, paid tribute to his much-loved’ son and said they have since found out he had dropped out of a college course and could not find a way to tell anyone.

Adam who had been studying for a diploma in media studies, died on September 8.

Mr Smith said: “We realise now that Adam was suffering from depression. It was a complete shock to think he took his own life. It was also a shock to his friends who did not realise he was at all down.

“In the past week, I have been surprised by the amount of people who know of similar incidents in which young people have suffered from depression without others realising.

“The terrible thing about it is that people who suffer from depression find it incredibly hard to ask for help or support. It is something I have come to realise is a big problem in young people.

“I hope by publicising what happened to Adam I may be able to prevent it happening to another family.”

Adam, of Silver Street, Wrington, began his education at the village’s primary school and then went on to Churchill Community School.

He was described by his father as an artistic but quiet lad, who had a big interest in Japanese art.

Mr Smith said: “No parent really knows what their children are like around their friends, but some of Adam’s mates have described him as the life and soul of the party who was always up for a laugh.”

“He was a bit quieter at home. Adam and I shared the same sense of humour and also tended to watch the same TV programmes.”

Mr Smith said they both played the guitar, a hobby which Adam took up at the age of 15.

He said: “He did make a band with some of his friends but it only lasted about three weeks. They probably just ended up mucking around too much.”

Before starting his course at Bristol Community College, Adam worked at Bristol International Airport where he ran the bar.

Mr Smith said: “He really enjoyed his bar job and took great pride in making it work. He was very particular, even to the extent of putting a shamrock on the top of a pint of Guinness and learning the recipes for many cocktails.”

David’s wife Monika, aged 48, is a retired florist.

David also has a daughter, Catherine, aged 33, who lives in Australia and another son, David, who died at the age of 38 after suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Churchill Community School headteacher, Dr Barry Wratten, paid tribute to Adam, a student he described as quiet but unassuming.

An inquest into Adam’s death has been adjourned to a later date. A funeral service has already taken place.

Donations are asked to be made to Young Minds, via Abbey Funeral Services, on (01934) 522323.