Jeni Sloan has taken the role counsellor with the RFDS’s Counselling and Wellbeing Programme after recently completed her Bachelor of Social Work from James Cook University.
Ms Sloan will provide clinical support to people with mental health issues including depression, alcohol and other drug issues and stress management.
“Counselling is my passion,” Ms Sloan said.
“I admire the work the RFDS has done and it is great that the organisation is expanding to help people not only on the aeromedical side, but the allied health side as well.
“They are focusing on the social and emotional wellbeing of residents.”
Allied health is a relatively new service for the RFDS but the organisation continues to expand its services.
“It keeps on growing,” RFDS Allied Health team leader Joanna Jamieson said.
“More money is being put into the mental health and allied health programs.
“It is creating more jobs in the North West.”
Ms Sloan said she would like to see the program extend to rural communities.
“There is a great need because people are isolated. They need people to reach out to them.”