Colton Clarkin fled Hillsborough Hospital while walking in grounds with his father, inquest hears
Young man was in grip of addictions but struggled when placed in treatment programs
Warning: This story deals with suicide. If you or someone you know has been struggling with mental health, you can find resources for help at the bottom of this story.
The inquest into the death of Colton Clarkin began in Charlottetown Wednesday — painting a picture of how the 27-year-old Emyvale man was able to die by suicide while classified as an involuntary patient at Hillsborough Hospital.
Clarkin was admitted to Health P.E.I. psychiatric facility in September 2022 after he was found not criminally responsible for several offences. His record to that date included charges related to weapons, an armed robbery and an assault.
The family was told he would get the help he so clearly needed, but as his mother Maggie Clarkin said as the inquest got underway, "319 days later, our son was dead."
His father Alan Clarkin issued a plea for the inquest jury to recommend better treatment for addictions on P.E.I., saying that if nothing was done, "we are going to continue to lose loved ones at a growing and alarming rate."
He added: "Colton was not some forgotten addict that nobody cared about. He was loved deeply."
Trouble at his treatment program
The six-person jury heard from the first four witnesses Wednesday: a Nova Scotia-based medical examiner who performed the post-mortem exam, two Health P.E.I. staff based out of Hillsborough Hospital, and an Ontario-based judge who served as a legal expert.
In July 2023, Clarkin had standing permission to leave the treatment facility to attend addiction treatment programs and to go on two-hour visits off-site with relatives and friends.
On the morning of July 28, he travelled to his day program at the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert. But after the session, staff told him he could not return until the next 21-day program started in August because he had made a female participant in the program uncomfortable.
The inquest heard this was not the first time Clarkin had exhibited erratic or inappropriate behaviour in a group treatment program.
Clarkin then returned to Hillsborough Hospital and told staff he was feeling anxious. Because it had taken him so long to return to the facility by taxi, he was tested for drugs. The results came back negative.
Earlier that day, nursing staff had noticed Clarkin had shaved his facial hair, which changed his appearance. He had also taken all of his personal belongings with him when he left the facility on a two-hour visit the day before and did not bring them back when he returned.
All this sent off alarm bells for the nurse who testified Wednesday, saying he thought Clarkin might be intending to flee the facility — something he had done before.
The nurse called the attending psychiatrist and suggested Clarkin's clearance level and privileges should be downgraded, something that can happen at any time if staff suspect something is awry, so that patients can't leave the facility.
But the psychiatrist said that instead of leaving, Clarkin could have an accompanied grounds pass. This would allow him to walk around the building's exterior with his father for two 30-minute periods.
It was after the second half-hour excursion that Clarkin's father returned to the hospital and told staff his son had taken off into the woods.
Police searched for the patient using dogs and a drone but could not find him.
His body was found on the Confederation Trail north of Charlottetown the next morning. The medical examiner testified the cause was death by hanging.
Apart for caffeine and cotininem, an alkaloid found in tobacco, no drugs were found in his system.
Trouble before his death
During his time at Hillsborough Hospital, Clarkin's situation was described during case management calls as "complex."
"While Colton may have struggled with addiction, he was never diagnosed with a mental-health disorder or psychosis throughout his time at Hillsborough Hospital, nor was Colton ever suicidal prior to his time at Hillsborough," his father told the inquest.
Hillsborough Hospital staff told the jury they aren't trained to treat addictions, but instead work to stabilize patients with acute issues and connect them to other programs.
Clarkin was receiving one-on-one addiction counselling, as well as being referred to the day program at Mount Herbert.
It's our belief that the prolonged 10 months Colton spent at Hillsborough, without appropriate treatment for his addiction issues and without any hope on the horizon that his situation would change, are the reason we're here today.— Alan Clarkin
"It's our belief that the prolonged 10 months Colton spent at Hillsborough, without appropriate treatment for his addiction issues and without any hope on the horizon that his situation would change, are the reason we're here today," his father said Wednesday.
Two weeks before Clarkin's death, Health P.E.I. staff had a call with the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Halifax to discuss Clarkin being transferred there, where the addictions treatment could be provided as well as care for any outstanding mental health issues.
The jury heard that Clarkin's transfer was denied because he hadn't been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder.
The Health P.E.I. team on that call was advised to have Clarkin re-assessed or pursue having the verdict of not criminally responsible reversed.
The jury also heard that Health P.E.I was exploring its legal options when it came to having Clarkin fully discharged from Hillsborough Hospital.
Testimony will resume when the inquest resumes Thursday morning.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
- Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
- This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
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