Mitch Hoskins is a mature age student from Dunghutti Country (Mid North Coast) and a regular at WIC. He describes himself as “a husband who is blessed with three children that look like my wife and just have my last name.” Mitch is in his second year of a Bachelor of Psychological Science, with a minor in Indigenous Studies. Mitch is also a recipient of the “The Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program”, named after Westerman, a proud Nyamal woman recognised nationally and internationally for her work in Aboriginal mental health, cultural competency, and suicide prevention.
This scholarship provides eligible Indigenous undergraduate students with $10,000 per year for study, transport and living costs and aims to help develop the next generation of Indigenous psychologists. Mitch expresses that this scholarship has been a huge blessing to him and his family and noted that it would be extremely difficult for him to maintain his strong grades, full-time study, his mental health, and care for his family without the support from this scholarship program and the Jilya Institute.
He says that this like-minded, passionate approach to psychology through this scholarship program inspires him to work hard to reach his goal of becoming a clinical psychologist and giving back. Mitch aims to help bridge the gap for suicide within Indigenous communities, emergency services, and help address men’s mental health.
Mitch has always been passionate about psychology; however, he was hesitant to study it at first as he always thought he was not “switched on” enough to pursue it. Mitch explains that he took a new direction in his life around 8 years ago, when he was diagnosed with PTSD and depression after serving for over a decade in the NSW Police Force. With the help of his faith in God, Mitch says that he has chosen to fight, and is slowly overcoming his battles with addiction, mental health, and suicidal ideation. His own experiences and the impact of mental health within his family, friends and ex-colleagues give Mitch the motivation for studying in this field and to keep going even when things are difficult.