Coroner's inquest into woman's death at Prince County Hospital begins in Summerside

A coroner's inquest looking into a death that occurred in the psychiatric unit at Prince County Hospital began Monday in Summerside.

Mary Angela Arsenault, who went by Angela, was an involuntary patient at the Summerside hospital on Feb. 17, 2023.

The 67-year-old Tignish woman was struggling with mental health issues and, according to the Crown, died of a brain injury after an apparent suicide attempt inside the hospital's psychiatric unit. 

The aim of the inquest is not to make findings of reasonable responsibility, but rather to uncover what led to Arsenault's death, and determine what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

Over the next few days, Crown attorney John Diamond and Health P.E.I. lawyer Steven Forbes will have the chance to ask questions to several witnesses, including doctors and nurses who saw Arsenault before and during her time at Prince County Hospital. 

Arsenault's son and daughter are also participating in the inquest, and asking questions of the witnesses. 

Her daughter, Lisa Arsenault, said her goal is to advocate for better supports and services for Islanders with mental health issues. 

The first witness to take the stand Monday was a doctor who saw Arsenault three times in the ER at Alberton's Western Hospital in the few weeks before her death. 

According to the doctor, Arsenault said she was lonely and sad, and needed help sleeping. The doctor said in her first two visits, Arsenault told him she had no intention of harming herself. 

He felt she could manage with medication, family support — which she had — and a follow-up visit.

But in early February, an ambulance rushed Arsenault back to the ER after she had overdosed on her medication and was unresponsive. She was treated in the intensive-care unit at Prince County Hospital and was eventually moved to the psychiatric unit.

More witnesses to be called

The details of what happened between then and Arsenault's death 10 days later weren't discussed at the inquest Monday.

The Crown plans to call several more witnesses over the next few days, including community mental health workers and other hospital staff who were working the day Arsenault died.

At the end of the inquest, a jury of six people will present its findings and make recommendations to the minister of justice and the chief coroner.

The inquest is expected to last three or four days.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: Call or text 988. 
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), 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.