'Kind' soldier and dad in Scots regiment died at barracks after army 'missed opportunities'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The family of a soldier who died at a barracks have called for mental health care improvements after a report revealed "missed opportunities" to help him.Nicki Hart, 33, from Wales, who served with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland was tragically found dead at Catterick Garrison in February 2022.The married dad-of-three, described as the "kindest man" and "best brother", had a history of poor mental health and had tried to take his life in 2012 and 2014.This deteriorated shortly after the death of one of his close friends at the army base, near Richmond, North Yorks., in 2021.A serious inquiry report revealed he was assessed in September of that year but said "his presentation was deemed not related to mental health."But in January 2022, when he told his chain of command he had tried to take his life a further three times following the friend's passing after excessive drinking, he was referred to mental health services.Sadly, Nicki was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in his barracks on February 5, 2022.The serious inquiry report has now made 41 recommendations, with four specifically assigned to the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.And it raised concerns over a "possible suicide cluster", after four sudden and unexpected deaths, were recorded at the regiment between 2018 and 2022.Nicki's widow, Sara, 38, and mum to his kids, Aidan, 19, Kian, eight, and Sophia, two, said it was "devastating" that they were now growing up without a dad.She said: "Losing Nicki in the way we did is something we have to live with every single day, and no words could ever describe the pain and grief we continue to feel more than two years on."To watch my children have to grow up without their dad