The heartbroken mother of a popular 22-year-old from Colchester who took her own life has said more could have been done to help her daughter.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jodie Jose, who died in March last year. Picture: SUPPLIED BY JODIE'S FAMILYJodie Jose, who died in March last year. Picture: SUPPLIED BY JODIE'S FAMILY (Image: Archant)

Betty Jose – mother of Jodie Jose who died in March last year – has spoken out about the former Colne Community School pupil’s care while revealing plans for her first memorial ball.

Jodie, who worked at the Sudbury branch of Santander, was found dead in her car at Great Bentley railway station after a frantic search by worried friends and family members.

An inquest later recorded a verdict of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Now Betty has said her family – which includes Jodie’s father Paul and sister Stacey Saville – will always have to live with the fact that more could have been done for the 22-year-old.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tributes to Jodie Jose line a fence at Great Bentley Rail Station. Picture: SU ANDERSONTributes to Jodie Jose line a fence at Great Bentley Rail Station. Picture: SU ANDERSON

They hope to host the first Jodie Jose Memorial Ball to raise funds for suicide prevention charity Papyrus in September.

Betty said: “Jodie’s illness escalated in a very short time, and we didn’t get the support we needed when we needed it most to help her.

“We will always have to live with the fact that more could have been done for Jodie, and she should be here with us today.”

Jodie’s sister Stacey said her mother went with the 22-year-old to see a GP in late 2015 and was given anti-depressants.

East Anglian Daily Times: A memorial ball is being hosted this September for Jodie Jose. Picture: SUPPLIED BY JODIE'S FAMILYA memorial ball is being hosted this September for Jodie Jose. Picture: SUPPLIED BY JODIE'S FAMILY (Image: Archant)

She claims there was no follow-up care for Jodie apart from her being provided with a crisis contact.

Jodie also had a consultation at The Lakes – run by the Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT) – but was told she would have a six-month wait for counselling.

Betty arranged private counselling but Jodie’s health continued to decline.

An EPUT spokesman said the organisation extends its deepest sympathies to everyone affected by Jodie’s death.

They added: “Immediately after the incident the trust undertook a full internal review.

“Our findings concluded that after assessment the patient received appropriate advice to contact a counselling service outside of EPUT.”

The memorial ball, suggested by Jodie’s manager Jason Blake, will raise awareness of illnesses like Jodie’s.

Betty said: “It has been a painful, frustrating and heartbreaking journey, and we want to do something positive for Jodie, to celebrate her as a daughter, sister and friend, and to support others.

“It’s a sad and serious subject, but it will be a happy and fun evening.”

The first ever Jodie Jose Memorial Ball will take place in September at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club.

Friends, family and work colleagues will be among dozens of people attending on Saturday, September 9.

Tickets cost £50 and include a two course meal.

Click here to buy tickets.