The mother of a teenager who took her own life has said she doesn't blame anyone or anything for the “terrible tragedy”.
Isla Marschke (14) was found by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of their home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on the evening of October 8.
Mrs. Jacobson desperately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it was too late to save Isla, who left a short note in her room along with her phone password.
“I'm sorry, I love you mom,” it said.
Ms Jacobsen previously told Daily Mail Australia she had struggled to get professional help for her daughter's mental health problems over the past few years.
The situation was exacerbated by “some issues related to family dynamics” and incidents of abuse, Jacobsen added.
But now, in a heartbreaking social media post, the devastated mother has tried to distance herself from online speculation about what may have contributed to her daughter's decision to end her life.
“Isla's death is a terrible tragedy,” Jacobsen wrote.
Isla Marschke (14) was found by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of their home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on the evening of October 8 (they are pictured)
In a sad social media post, Jacobsen sought to separate 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 these decisions.
We do NOT blame any thing, anyone or any service.
“In our regional city, I actually experienced great difficulty in getting help from professionals in a timely manner and constantly heard about restrictions related to her age or waiting lists. I wanted to emphasize rather than blame.
“We don't blame anyone. Now we need to find a further solution.
Ms Jacobsen, a piano instructor and performing artist, has previously called for more resources to support mental health in regional areas.
“I live in a regional town and I went there for months, desperately trying to find a child psychologist who could help my daughter,” she told this publication last week.
“But I kept getting rejected because she was too young or their 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 occurring, she was also a victim of abuse and was experiencing issues with family dynamics.”
“But there really was no preparation and we are all absolutely devastated.”
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was at home talking to her older sister Ava (16) about their upcoming birthday and the gifts they were both expecting.
Isla, who worked in a local fish and chip shop, was a victim of bullying and left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she couldn't fit in
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was happily chatting at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about their upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who worked in a local fish and chip shop, was a victim of bullying and in July left Shalom College, a Catholic school in Bundaberg, to start distance learning because she had difficulty fitting in.
– She had problems with herself for a long time. Last year, two of her closest friends started bullying her. One of them was posting videos on TikTok calling her a rat and stuff,” her sister Ava said.
“I had to text them earlier to tell them to leave Isla alone, and I had to talk to them at school before they left Isla alone because it was getting out of hand.”
– They were just terrible to her.
Last week, Shalom College principal Daniel McMahon told another publication that Isla had “undoubtedly” experienced bullying at school.
However, McMahon echoed Isla's mother's comments, stating that there was no cause for her death.
“Isla's story is tragic, but it's not just about abuse,” McMahon said.
“As her mother Christie noted 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.
“Like many people, she suffered from many complex problems.
“Attempting to place blame on a specific person or individuals may make some people feel satisfied, but it is unhelpful and inaccurate.
“I would much rather put my energy into helping young people so that they have the courage to reach out for help when they need it and that help is readily available.”
Last week, Shalom College principal Daniel McMahon (pictured) said Isla had “undoubtedly” experienced bullying at school, but insisted it was not the sole cause of her death
Isla, who had suffered from anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism for years before the abuse began, but her mental health seemed to improve dramatically after being homeschooled.
“She was growing, she wanted to be a leader, and her school work was just improving, invisibly,” said Andy McLucas, Isla's stepfather.
“She really loved it. She found her place, so it was a shock.
McLucas, who is separated from Isla's mother, said she “has been through various stages of counseling and talking to therapists.”
“When we removed the school element, she did quite well,” McLucas said.
“INwhen she fell it was very noticeable. But this wasn't one of those moments, it just seemed a little flat.
McLucas, who said Isla is a talented musician and singer, paid tribute to her “quirky” personality.
Isla was remembered for her “quirky” personality and has been described as a “ball of awesomeness”
The GoFundMe page Ava started to help cover her funeral costs has raised over $60,000 so far
“She just had such a wickedly amazing sense of humor that not many people understood because she was just so funny and so different,” he said.
“She was very talented. She had a beautiful voice, loved to sing all the time and could play any instrument. She was just a ball of awesomeness.
She had such a good voice that recently her new school asked her to record the national anthem to be played during assemblies.
“She was full of empathy for those she loved,” McLucas added.
“And when she liked you, she really liked you.” She was very picky and didn't get along with everyone, but when she did, she just loved deeply and could read you. She just didn't know how much she was loved.
And the GoFundMe page, a foundation set up by Ava to help cover her funeral costs, has raised over $60,000 so far.
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