UK-born Shona moved to Cairns with her family in 1985. Following high school, Shona worked in her family’s fish and chip shop for over a decade before family tragedy led her on a different path.
“My mum struggled with her mental health for many years and passed away from alcoholism. I’d been wanting to get into community services for a while and wondered if I’d done it sooner, would things have worked out differently? I had a lot of questions.”
“I started volunteering at a rehab facility while I completed my Dual Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health. I then worked for the rehab facility as an intake officer before becoming the Clinical team leader.”
When Shona’s partner scored a great job in Darwin, the family of five relocated for three years. Shona built a career working across youth justice, youth refuges, and women and family domestic violence sectors before moving to Brisbane to nurture her children’s love of rugby.
Starting her career with RFQ three years ago as a Senior NDIS Support Worker, Shona was later appointed as Coordinator, before shifting gears to become Acting Assistant Area Manager and then Acting Area Manager.
While she was providing psychosocial support in her previous roles, RFQ is Shona’s first dedicated position in the mental health sector.
“I feel like I’m sitting in the right space at RFQ – I always have. Having come from more clinical spaces, I have learnt to forget about labels and diagnoses and just work with where the person is at. I’m learning every day; it’s a privilege to work with so many people with different perspectives.”
Shona appreciates that while clients are supported on their recovery journey, RFQ staff are also walking their own paths of growth and discovery.
“Regardless of which role people are in, they are being supported on their own journey as they support others. We are sort of walking the same path, gaining insight to help our clients as we learn ourselves. I think that is very meaningful and one of the reasons I really appreciate RFQ.”
The universal experience of mental illness is endlessly fascinating for Shona, who believes in the power of a strengths-based approach.
“People with mental illness are often used to a ‘deficit’ focus, rather than people telling them that we’re going to focus on the positives to help them live their best life. I think we help people believe that things can change; not everything is permanent. If people are willing to put in the work, we can help them reach the goals they’re working towards.”
Shona’s time in mental health has helped her reconcile the complexities surrounding her mother’s challenges and passing, as well as Shona’s own life choices. She now understands the importance of never judging a book by its cover.
“Mum was very cautious about using ‘labels’ – she always said it’s just a label, it’s not something that determines the sort of person you are. Working in the sector has helped me navigate the challenges that have presented in my life. Before, I didn’t necessarily understand the reasons behind what was happening. Now I have more compassion and understanding – there’s always more to the story.”
