The mum of a ‘kind-hearted” man who died not long after leaving home believes her son was “too embarrassed” to ask for help due to the stigma around men’s mental health.

James Salmon, 34, known as Jim to friends and family, was found dead at his home in Corning Close, Faversham.

Police found him shortly before 8.30pm on June 12 after mum, Michaela, raised the alarm when she grew increasingly worried about his wellbeing and couldn’t get through on the phone.

James had been living in Faversham for little more than 18 months after moving from Sheerness, where he grew up and spent the first 32 years of his life.

He struggled with his mental health and suffered from depression and alcoholism.

However, the cause of his death has not yet been announced with the results of a post-mortem examination due in the coming weeks. Police say it is not being treated as suspicious.

Mum Michaela said: “I spoke to him last [on] Sunday (June 11) at about 3pm, and then called him again later that evening, and on the Monday, but couldn’t get hold of him.

“That’s when a mental health team and then the police were called who decided to break into his house through the window and found him lying on the sofa, just before I arrived at about 11pm.

“I’ve had the coroner tell me they don’t have a cause of death yet – only that they have to take some samples which can take a few weeks.

“He did take to drinking a little while back, but even so I still don’t know if that was the cause of his death, and that’s making it really hard for us at the moment because there’s not even a small amount of closure.”

Born in October 1988 at the now-defunct All Saints’ Hospital in Chatham, James then lived in Sheerness with his mum and three sisters – Leigh, Tisha and Chloe.

— For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website

— If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here

He soon started his education on the Island at Rose Street Primary School, before attending Cheyne Middle School at Jefferson Road, and finally Minster College.

James then had a few jobs across the Island, but began to struggle with his mental health and failed to hold down a long-term job in the years afterwards.

All four members of his family, however, helped him make the seemingly positive transition from Sheppey to Faversham.

Yet his decision to start a new chapter and become more independent proved difficult for the lifelong Arsenal supporter.

Michaela says his mental health troubles only worsened when the homesickness caused by his move kicked in.

The 56-year-old added: “Jim worked at places like Sheerness Dockyard as a fruit picker, then did some labouring with his dad in Somerset, but struggled too much with his mental health to do any employment long-term.

“But wanting to stay in Sheerness, he found it difficult to get a job in labouring whenever he would feel better.

“He would still ring me and the family every day, especially when he went to Faversham.

“Jim just thought he was getting too old to live at home, so wanted to go and stretch his wings by himself but it got to a stage where it drove him mad being so isolated.

“He struggled with homesickness and that played a part in his emotions when he moved, because during the day he would always be on his own and didn’t know anyone either.”

Michaela explained James had a support worker when he was younger and she had encouraged him to see a councillor as well, but he chose not to and didn’t enjoy taking some of the medication either.

She added: “The sisters he had would always keep in touch though, but he didn’t have a relationship with his dad and I think he was embarrassed to go to another male figure for help because of the stigma attached to men doing that.

“He kept a lot of feelings bottled up and didn’t confide in any of his friends, and that’s why he was definitely struggling more than he let on – which he shouldn’t have been.”

‘I think he was embarrassed to go to another male figure for help because of the stigma attached to men doing that’

Despite his troubles, Michaela says her son remained a positive influence on those around him and had a number of keen interests.

“Jim was very outgoing and would love to do activities in the sea during the summer with his mates, as well as playing sports like football and rounders,” she explained

“Arsenal was his passion too and he loved that club through-and-through.

“Horror and ghost-themed films were some of his favourite things to watch, and he loved all rap music, especially Tupac.”

A fundraiser, created by friend of the family, Lucy Morris, has been made to help support the family during their bereavement. Those wishing to donate, can do so here.

Speaking after his death, a friend posted online: “He was the most kind-hearted lad ever.”

Another added: “All of us who loved him will carry him in our memories for the rest of our time.

“I still feel like it [is] a bad dream and we're all going to wake up soon.”

Meanwhile, a third person said: “My nan always said good people die young, and that's the case with James.”