The mother of a teenager who took her own life has revealed that she does not blame anything or anyone for the “terrible tragedy”.
Isla Marschke, 14, was discovered by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on the night of October 8.
Ms Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a short note in her room along with the password to her phone.
“I’m sorry, I love you mom,” he said.
Ms Jacobsen previously told Daily Mail Australia she had struggled to get professional help for her daughter’s mental health issues over the past few years.
This situation had been exacerbated by “some family dynamic issues” and cases of harassment, Ms Jacobsen added.
But now, in a sad social media post, the heartbroken mother has sought to end online speculation about what may have contributed to her daughter’s decision to end her life.
“Isla’s death is a terrible tragedy,” Ms. Jacobsen wrote.
Isla Marschke, 14, was discovered by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on the afternoon of October 8 (pictured).
In a sad post on social media, Mrs Jacobsen has sought to end online speculation about what may have contributed to her daughter’s decision to end her life.
‘She had a combination of factors that led her to make the decisions she made.
‘We do NOT blame anything, anyone or any service.
‘I had great difficulty in getting professional help in time in our regional city and was constantly told about limitations due to age or waiting lists. I wanted to highlight instead of blame.
‘We don’t blame anyone. “Now we just need to find a way to move forward.”
Ms Jacobsen, a piano teacher and performing artist, previously called for more funding for mental health support in regional areas.
“I live in a regional city and I spent months and months desperately trying to find a child psychologist who could help my daughter,” she told this publication last week.
‘But I was constantly rejected because she was too young or because her books were full. Follow-up care was almost impossible. I can’t tell you how many times I would ask for help and be told “no, no, no.”
“While this was going on, she was also being bullied and experiencing family dynamic issues.”
“But there wasn’t really any lead-up and we’re all totally devastated.”
Just two hours before Isla was found, she had been chatting at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about her upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, had been a victim of bullying and had left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she was having difficulty adjusting.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she had been chatting happily at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about her upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, had been a victim of bullying and had left Shalom College, a Catholic school in Bundaberg, in July to start distance learning because she was struggling to fit in.
‘She had been struggling for quite some time. Last year, two of her former closest friends started harassing her. One of them was posting videos on TikTok calling her a rat and stuff,” her sister Ava said.
“I had to text them before to get them to leave Isla alone and I had to talk to them at school before to get them to leave Isla alone because it was getting out of hand.”
“They were just horrible to her.”
Shalom College Principal Daniel McMahon said last week in another post that Isla “without a doubt” experienced bullying at school.
But McMahon echoed Isla’s mother’s comments by stating that there was no single cause behind her death.
“Isla’s story is tragic, but it’s not just about bullying,” Mr. McMahon said.
‘As his mother Christie pointed out in the media today, mental illness is a very real problem and the lack of sufficient support services for individuals and families is a real problem.
‘I was in pain due to multiple and complex problems, as many people do.
‘Trying to blame an individual or individuals may give some satisfaction, but it is neither helpful nor accurate.
“I would much rather put energy into helping young people have the courage to ask for help when they need it and have that help available.”
Last week, Shalom College headteacher Daniel McMahon (pictured) said Isla “certainly” experienced bullying at school, but insisted it was not the only cause of her death.
Isla, who had suffered for years before the bullying began, had anxiety, OCD and autism, but her mental state seemed to have improved dramatically after moving to home learning.
“She was thriving, she wanted to be a leader and her school work was improving without anyone seeing it,” said Andy McLucas, Isla’s stepfather.
‘She absolutely loved it. “She had found her place, so it was a big shock to me.”
McLucas, who is separated from Isla’s mother, said she had “gone through several episodes of counseling and talking to therapists.”
“Once we got the school element out of the way, he was doing pretty well,” Mr. McLucas said.
‘WWhen it was down, it was very noticeable. But This wasn’t one of those times, it just seemed a little flat.
McLucas, who said Isla was a talented musician and singer, paid tribute to her “quirky” personality.
Isla was remembered for her “quirky” personality and was described as a “ball of genius.”
A GoFundMe page, set up by Ava to help cover the cost of her funeral, has so far raised more than $60,000.
“She had such a wickedly amazing sense of humor that not many people understood because she was so funny and so different,” he said.
‘She was so talented. He had a beautiful voice, loved to sing all the time and could play any instrument. “She was just a ball of genius.”
His voice was so good that his new school had recently asked him to record the national anthem to play during assemblies.
“She was very empathetic to those she loved,” McLucas added.
And when she liked you, you really liked her. He was very demanding and didn’t get along with everyone, but when he did, he just loved you fiercely and read to you. She just didn’t know how loved she was.
TO GoFundMe pagewhich was created by Ava to help cover the cost of her funeral, has so far raised over $60,000.
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