A TEENAGER hanged himself just days after being rejected by a gender reassignment clinic, an inquest heard.

Aleph Dourado Paiva was born male but was a woman at heart, Winchester Coroner’s Court was told.

After moving to Yonge Close in Eastleigh from Brazil in November 2014, he made the steps earlier this year to change his gender.

However, despite help from Eastleigh Youth Counselling Service (EYCS) he was rejected from Tavistock Clinic, London on May 17 because of his age.

Just 10 days later, the 17-year-old was found dead in his bedroom by his mother Cilea.

Aleph, who attended Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in Southampton, was rejected by the the London-based clinic because he would turn 18 in November and there was a nine month waiting list.

Tavistock specialises in gender reassignment of patients under 18. Aleph’s counsellor at EYCS, Dr Lottie Passell-Syms, told the inquest: “I knew how much it meant to him.

“After he received the letter I texted him to say: ‘Do not give up; we would go the route of adult services. Stay positive.’

“He was a remarkable young man. I believe he had been through a lot and this was his opportunity for change.

"I feel privileged that I had the chance to meet him, for sure.”

However, Aleph’s mother told the court her son had been battling depression for more than six months, but did not see a doctor.

She fought back tears as she told the inquest the night before his death, Aleph was depressed and not talking much.

“I tried to talk to him around 10pm but he just stared so I left him alone,” she added.

Ms Dourado added her son had spoken of suicide before, and tried to take his life in April, but she managed to stop him.

“He told me his depression started because he was abused in Brazil.

“I think there were a lot of issues in his mind. But the most important was what he told me about the abuse.

"He said since then he was depressed. I think the rejection was the final point.

“He told me what he was going to do, but I did not believe he was going to do it.”

She added: “He was my best friend.”

Pathologist Dr Balvinder Shoker confirmed the death was a result of hanging.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a conclusion of death by suicide.