A popular teacher took her own life after a series of health problems.

Helen Guy collapsed after deliberately inhaling carbon monoxide fumes and taking paracetamol, an inquest heard.

Miss Guy, 44, who was deputy head at Upperthong School, was found unconscious at her home in Ashes Lane, Almondbury on July 6 last year.

Huddersfield Coroners Court heard how she had suffered from depression, low self esteem and more recently problems with alcohol.

But it was on the evening of July 6 that her partner Simon Fielding returned and found her collapsed..

Mr Fielding’s neighbour Christopher Boothroyd heard him scream for help as he discovered her at around 7pm.

Mr Boothroyd told the inquest in a statement that on entering the house he could smell something but at the time he couldn’t think what it was’.

He said he saw Helen collapsed on the floor near the doorway to the back bedroom. He told how Mr Fielding started CPR and he phoned an ambulance.

The inquest heard paramedics arrived but despite their best efforts Miss Guy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest heard she had received treatment from mental health services on numerous occasions over the past decade and had previously taken overdoses of medication.

In November 2013 the court heard her mood changed and she was sent home from work over concerns for her own safety. Over the next few months she was treated by the Community Mental Heath Team at Folly Hall who offered long term support.

The inquest heard in June 2014 Miss Guy was involved in a road traffic collision and suffered broken ribs which appeared to trigger a downward spiral in mental health problems and increased drinking.

She was also having problems in her relationship and she twice threw her partner out of the house during arguments but they resolved things and the relationship continued.

Witnesses told the hearing she was visited by staff from the Home Based Treatment Team on July 4 and another visit was arranged for July 7.

On the first visit she was asked if she wanted to voluntary admit herself to hospital but she declined saying she was feeling ‘fine’.

She agreed to continue to be seen by the Home Based Treatment Team and it was agreed for a further phone call the following day to discuss whether to visit her the next day in person.

Toxicology tests showed she had consumed ‘an elevated level of pain killers between toxic and virtually lethal’.

She had also consumed an alcohol level consistent with consumption of around five pints of beer and her carboxyhemoglobin levels showed she had inhaled carbon monoxide prior to her death.

Coroner Mary Burke recorded a suicide verdict and said the primary cause of death was recorded as hypoxia due to carbon monoxide poisoning with secondary findings analgesic and alcohol ingestion.

Carolyn Littlewood, Head Teacher at Upperthong School , said: “She was a much-loved and much-respected member of staff who was at the school for five years.

“We all miss her very much.”

Karen Taylor, district director of Kirklees Business Delivery Unit at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust extends sincere sympathies to those affected by Ms Guy’s death. A thorough investigation was conducted at the time and we regularly assess our practices to ensure that we continue to offer safe, high quality services”.