Healing the mind

When Pamela McIntosh (BA ‘99 Deakin) is asked to describe her beloved son Mishka, she shares an illuminating story from his childhood.

'He did things like pick the first snow drops when he got off the bus and bring them home. He was a very gentle, caring person, and that was how he was, all his life.'

In Mishka’s memory, Pamela co-funded a research position and established the McIntosh Mental Health First Aid Scholarship, which empowers Deakin students to look out for others.

Mishka grew up on a farm in Warrion, north of Colac. His main schooling was at Alvie Consolidated and Colac High School, before studying information technology. In the mid-90s, Mishka was a passenger involved in a serious car accident. He sustained multiple fractures, lacerations, and suffered severe head injuries.

'As his body healed, his mind didn't, and he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. This is commonly understood now but nobody realised what it was at the time,' Pamela explains.

Mishka returned home to Warrion and slowly began his long rehabilitation with the help of Barwon Health. It was there that a nurse observed Mishka’s compassionate nature and he was offered employment as a carer consultant – working alongside others dealing with mental health challenges of their own.

A teacher by training, Pamela was inspired to follow her son into healthcare and the pair worked at Barwon Health across two decades.

Informed by her personal and professional experiences, Pamela set out to educate others on the importance of mental health – speaking at conferences and advocating for change.

Mishka’s hero was physicist Professor Brian Cox; he also adored Dr Who and the song Starry Starry Night.

'When my husband died 13 years ago, Mishka sort of took over. My husband and I travelled a lot and we had always wanted to do the west coast of Australia and Darwin. And so that's what Mishka and I set out to do. We loved the remoteness, the clean black skies of the Kimberley. And the fact that you could see a million stars.'

Sadly, several years ago, Mishka’s health deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital – a harrowing two-and-a-half month ordeal from which he did not recover.

To honour Mishka’s mental health advocacy, two important initiatives have been established at Deakin: the McIntosh Mental Health First Aid Training Scholarships and a new research assistant role for the Community and Research Network (CARN).

CARN connects health professionals, researchers and those with lived experience seeking to promote good health and wellbeing for the community of the Greater Geelong region. Mishka and Pamela participated in multiple projects conducted by Professor Olivia Dean, who leads a novel therapies program through CARN and Deakin’s Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT).

Professor Dean shares, 'Mishka’s legacy is continued through Pamela’s generosity. His dedication to embedding lived expertise to improve treatment and recovery in people’s mental illness journey will live on through this gift. Quoting one of Mishka’s favourite songs, “You were only waiting for this moment to arise” (The Beatles).'

Deakin student Marie is among the first two cohorts who have completed their mental health first aid training, supported by the scholarship program. 'I am truly grateful to the McIntosh family for their generous scholarship.'

'Your support has not only touched my life but also the lives of countless others who will benefit from the enhanced understanding I can now offer. Thank you to the McIntosh family for their kindness and belief in the importance of mental health education.'