The Pakenham family of Jacob Van Lieshout say the system that failed him in life has continued to fail them in death, with ongoing delays compounding their grief months after his funeral.
Jacob, 34, was found unresponsive on a footpath near a park and school in Frankston on December 3.
Jacob had lived with significant mental health challenges, including multiple psychosis episodes, and experienced homelessness in the years leading up to his death.
As a disability pension recipient, he struggled to access consistent mental health care and affordable housing, leaving him increasingly vulnerable.
Despite being classified as a priority case, he spent more than three years on waiting lists for housing and psychiatric support.
While still coming to terms with loss, his adopted mother Tania Willis said the family are still waiting for answers and support.
“Many Australians, such as our Jacob, are navigating an overloaded and broken system, leading to excessively long waiting lists for housing and healthcare, even for priority cases,” she said.
“An unacceptably lengthy wait for many and tragically, those who are vulnerable do not make it.
“I still have no answers and the potential for a prolonged wait, coupled with the trauma we have experienced, things witnessed we cannot unsee, still unanswered questions has hindered our grieving process.”
The final straw came when the family was told counselling referred through police could take at least 14 weeks to access.
Jacob’s death has also placed significant financial strain on his small family. They were forced to raise $9,500 to cover funeral costs after learning his mother, who is on a disability pension, did not qualify for a death benefit and was offered only a $200 bereavement payment.
“Emotionally, it’s been really hard to get through. I don’t get sick leave. If I don’t work, I don’t earn anything,” his young sister Eliza (self-employed beautician) said.
Jacob’s young brother Ryan also took time off work, using grievance leave and unpaid leave, to support their mother through the coronial process.
The family is now calling for urgent reform across Victoria’s mental health, housing and post-death support systems, warning that without change, others will continue to fall through the cracks.
