Long wait for mental health services 'did not' contribute to New Houghton schoolboy's death

Jak Hikin, 14, of Portland Street, New Houghton, died in hospital on February 19, 2019.

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A coroner last week concluded Jak, who was a pupil at Outwood Academy, did not intend to take his own life and died as a result of misadventure.

Tributes were paid to the teenager during his inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court.

Susan Evans, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, said: "Jak was a well-loved boy and made some really close friends.

“He was described by school staff as being a joy to have around – but Jak had his struggles and sometimes had difficulty making himself understood.

“He lacked social understanding and found it difficult to express himself.

“On February 19, 2019, Jak was at home during the school holiday.

“He went out in the village that afternoon and was upset by an incident involving a group of children.

“When he returned home he was angry and agitated and went up to his room.”

He was taken to King’s Mill Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7.40pm. Jak’s cause of death was given as ‘compression to the neck’.

The inquest heard Jak, who had a diagnosis of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, had self-harmed in the past.

Ms Evans said there was a two-month delay between an initial identification of Jak’s need to be referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) and the schoolboy being accepted for assessment.

But she concluded the delay did not contribute to his death.

Ms Evans said: “Evidence was that as of the end of 2018, there was a long wait for appointments (for CAHMS) – the average wait for an appointment was 6.8 weeks from acceptance.

“Had he been seen earlier, the measures that might have been in place to manage any escalation or crisis in Jak’s mental health would have been measures to assist him to decompress and be calm.

“I note these are measures Jak himself employed on the day he died.

“Jak had gone to his room, a place where his mum said he went to calm himself by playing Xbox or Lego.

“Therefore, a delay cannot be said to have contributed to Jak’s death.”

Ending the inquest, Ms Evans said: “I have considered a conclusion of suicide – whether Jak’s was a deliberate act, done with the intention of taking his own life

“I am not satisfied that he had that intention.

“His mum’s evidence was that he did not know the long-term consequences of his actions and would not have been able to see past the moment.

“I am, though, satisfied this was a deliberate act which resulted in unforseen consequences.

“Therefore, I come to a conclusion that he died as a result of misadventure.”

Addressing Jak’s parents, Ms Evans said: “I’m so very sorry about what happened to Jak.

“You’ve shown enormous courage throughout this inquest – it must have been very difficult for you to participate in.”

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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