A DAUGHTER paid tribute to her father after he was found dead at work.

Jeffrey Grove, 62, from Thundersley, killed himself at Ashton Surgical and Ophthalmic Ltd, Rayleigh Road, Benfleet.

He had suffered with mental health issues, including thoughts about taking his own life in the past.

Daughter Lucy Grove, 20, said he was a caring, kind hearted man.

She said: “My dad was good with his hands and at the age of 17 he began an apprenticeship as a surgical instrument maker.

“He always built things to last, and we still use the table he made when he was a teenager.

“The last few years have been difficult for all of us, with dad’s long battle with depression.

“It was a battle we all had to fight with him, although sometimes we didn’t understand what he was going through, and we are all sad that he lost that battle in the end.

“Depression can make you feel like you are losing a person even when they are still with you.

“But his pain is over now.”

Mr Grove had been diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder and had received care from the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (Eput).

He was found dead at the business on December 27.

An inquest into the death of Mr Grove heard there were concerns about the care he had received from the mental health trust and a lack of assessments.

Essex Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, speaking at Essex Coroners’ Court last week ruled Mr Grove killed himself while suffering from a diagnosed mental illness.

A spokesman for Eput said: “Our hearts go out to Mr Grove’s family and we are keen to support them in any way we can.

“Tragically suicide still affects and takes far too many lives.

“The trust has an ambition to make suicide preventable; taking action to improve systems and environments to reduce the risk; including rolling out suicide prevention training for all staff.

“A full investigation was undertaken by the trust into the care provided to Mr Grove and his family as we are always keen to improve our services and practice.”

Anyone experiencing issues can call Samaritans on 116 123.