Meet Jane Fitzgibbon.
Jane and her husband Michael, are 3rd generation farmers at Mortlake, South West Victoria. Operating a mixed farming business of cattle and sheep, Jane has also worked as a nursing for 40 years, in various roles including clinical & management roles, Unit Manager/Quality Manager/Director of Nursing. Jane is fantastic member of our MHHSC, and has provided some words below.
“In 2016 our only son Sam who worked on the farm tragically died of suicide. The same year another 15 individuals lost their lives to suicide in Southwest Victoria. The impact for our community was devastating to say the least. From the support of our community and together with John Parkinson, a Mental Health Clinician, Michael and I co-founded the Lets Talk Foundation, a community driven initiative aiming to “Break the Stigma of Mental Health”. The Lets Talk Foundation message has been delivered to over 20 000 people across the South West, including farming groups, schools, businesses, sporting clubs and continues to grow in momentum.
The 3 aims of the Lets Talk Foundation is to –
• Reduce the stigma of mental illness
• Increase help-seeking behaviour and
• Raise the level of community competence in supporting people with mental ill-health
I am very proud and passionate of the Southwest Community supporting the culture change surrounding mental health.
My Interests:
Spending time with family (especially our 3 beautiful grandchildren) & friends walking, yoga, golf, gardening , crafts, traveling.”
Thanks to Jane for sharing her touching story, and being part of this journey with us. Your courage in sharing your story helps us work together to create a better tomorrow for others.
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