THE family of a popular young farmer who killed himself have made a heartfelt plea to others with mental health problems to talk about it.

And Ruthin John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central said he fully supported them in their bid to get the message across.

“There are people who can help,” he said “and sometimes a close family might not be the right environment.”

He was speaking at an inquest in Ruthin into the death of 26-year-old Gruffydd Lloyd Parry, whose parents and sisters said he had not given any indication of his problems.

“He was happy and outgoing and lived life to the full,” said his mother Carys.

In a statement read by the coroner his father Bryn Parry, of Llain Wen Uchaf, Pentrecelyn, near Ruthin, said they became concerned on the evening of February 9 when they returned home and he was nowhere to be found.

He did not answer his phone and then Mr Parry noticed that one of his shotguns was missing.

He called the police and early the following morning armed officers found Gruff’s body behind one of the farm buildings. The gun was nearby but no notes were found.

“I can’t think what was troubling my son,” he said.

In a statement issued after his death the family said he had been his usual happy-go-lucky self that weekend and had been to watch a rugby match in Ruthin that afternoon.

Gruff, who worked on the family farm, was a member of the Cor Aelwyd Dyffryn Clwyd and enjoyed the rehearsals as well as the social aspects of the choir. He was a keen cook and was delighted as a young boy when it was decided to switch from being a largely dairy farm to egg production.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner said he had evidence that Gruff had visited his GP but said it was not part of his duty to investigate why he had killed himself.

Mr and Mrs Parry said that at his funeral £7,000 was collected towards the DPJ Foundation, the charity set up by farmer’s wife Emma Picton-Jones whose own husband killed himself.

Since the funeral the choir and other friends have raised additional funds and further events are planned.

Mrs Parry said it was important that anyone feeling so depressed should talk about their issues to someone.

“I agree with everything you say,” added the coroner.