A "WONDERFUL" ex-Wales hockey player allegedly "took her own life after suffering from chronic anxiety".

       Mum-of-two Nia Fowler was found dead in her bathroom in Ynystawe, Swansea, by her mum after she failed to turn up for a family lunch in May.

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       Nia Fowler, 40, was found dead by her mum earlier this year Credit: MEDIA WALES 2

       Tributes poured in for the 'wonderful' ex-hockey player Credit: MEDIA WALES

       The 40-year-old failed to arrive on time for the family meal, so her mum

       went to her house where she discovered her daughter's body in an

       upstairs bathroom.

       Her mum Jo Fowler told an inquest held at Swansea's Guildhall: "I have never

       met a mother who loved her children like Nia did.

       "She had great confidence on the pitch, which we wanted her

       to have in life."

       The hearing hear that Nia had been a happy child - and had gone on to study

       sports science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, before having two children.

       However, the relationship with her children's dad had broken down

       and she had visited her GP for advice on anxiety.

       She was prescribed medication - which she had been reluctant to take and had not worked for her.

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       Nia sought out herbal remedies and mindfulness - and was not on any medication at the time of her death.

       But a week before she had gone with her mum to visit her GP.

       Jo Fowler told the inquest she had concerns about her daughter's mental

       health due to her chronic anxiety - and because she had stopped eating

       regularly.

       The qualified acupuncturist had also quit her job as a receptionist "due to feelings of being overwhelmed".

       Her mum told the court: "She had never self-harmed before or never said anything

       about taking her own life.

       "The GP was lovely, however, leading up to that Nia had

       been dealt with over the phone by a number of doctors.

       "There had been no continuity. When she reacted to her medication she was not given any replacement or seen.

       "Her relationship was very toxic. She lost a lot of self-esteem.

       "There is no way my daughter would have chosen to leave her children.

       Her state of mind was that she was not fully cognisant of what she was

       doing.

       "She told her sister the night before she died she was a bad person

       and a bad mother.

       "She was never a bad mother and she was never a bad person."

       The mum added: "I cannot believe she was in a state of mind to know what

       she was doing. That might sound strange but she was petrified

       constantly. I was worried for her".

       The ex-hockey star's sister Sian told the inquest: "She was the gentlest, most

       forgiving person. She fought everything with a lot of pain. All she

       wanted was her kids."

       'SHINING LIGHT'

       The inquest was told her teammates had described Nia as a "shining

       light and role model...who was adored".

       Broadcaster Edward Bevan, the dad of one of Nia's best friends, added:

       "I have never seen Nia without a smile. She was the most wonderful,

       loving girl you could hope to meet. She was a fun-loving and the most

       delightful girl."

       The inquest was told a post-mortem examination revealed Nia had no

       underlying disease and that toxicology was negative.

       Acting senior coroner Colin Phillips said: "I have heard she had been

       to see her GP suffering from anxiety and depression.

       "She was not undergoing any formal psychiatric treatment at the time and was

       exploring herbal remedies and mindfulness.

       "I have heard on that morning she had been home and there was no indication she would carry out these actions.

       "I am satisfied suicide is the right conclusion...and the conclusion

       is suicide."

       You can donate money to help the future of Nia Fowler's children here.

       You're Not Alone

       EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

       It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

       It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

       And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

       Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

       That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

       The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

       Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.

       If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

       CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123 Movember, www.uk.movember.com Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm