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Those of you who knew Hollie and know about the circumstances of her passing will realise the tragic irony of the situation, in which a person dedicated to helping others to deal with mental illness, was unable to overcome her own desperate battle with depression. Hollie's passing shows us that people of any race, age, intellect, educational level or social circumstances can be affected by mental illness and that more research and education needs to be done. Hollie was passionate about researching mental health issues and finding ways to help peoplewith a mental illness and their families, particularly in rural communities. These issues were the basis of her PhD. Hollie felt that the research she was doing was very important, as did her colleagues at the University of Queensland who will continue Hollie's work. Funding has been organised for the continuation of Hollie's PhD research. |
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Hollie was also passionate about giving individuals, families and communities practical ways to help deal with mental illness. She was involved in a project called Mental Health First Aid, run through the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research. The Australian Foundation for Mental Health Research helps support the research programs of this Centre. Mental Health First Aid involves training people to run community courses, which aim to raise awareness about mental illness, dispel stigma associated with mental illness and offer practical ways to help someone who has a mental illness. Hollie was very aware of the need for such courses in rural areas, where mental health services may not be readily accessible. The purpose of the Hollie Jackes Memorial Scholarship is to raise funds, held in perpetuity, to fund mental health projects in rural areas of Australia - helping people in the community to understand more about mental illness and to learn more about strategies for coping and dealing with mental health problems. The scholarship is administered through the Australian Foundation for Mental Health Research and donations over $2 are tax deductible. In 2004, the Hollie Jackes Memorial Scholarship helped 9 rural Australians to become Mental Health First Aid instructors, with a further 3 to be trained in Febrauary 2005. The scholarship fund has also been heavily supported by Incetic Pivot, who have been committed to mental health issues in rural Australia. Through a large donation, generated by the auction of fertilizer to local farmers, Incetic Pivot fully funded the training of 11 Mental Health First Aid instructors in 2003. More information: |
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