For over 25 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) has been providing expert Mental Health and Wellbeing Services to people in rural and remote communities across Queensland.
The service is dedicated to fostering proactive solutions to tackling mental health concerns in communities across regional, rural and remote Queensland.
This includes the education of mental health first aid, community events and consultations, free resources and tips on how individuals can better support those around you.
To mark Queensland Mental Health Week (8-16 October), we we invite you to meet some of the incredible people who are delivering these services everyday:
Dawie Scheepers
State Manager - Mental Health | Nursing and Clinical Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
Farmer Wants a Wife - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
Getting out on the water, either a surf ski or sea kayaking. - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
Motor bikes and mountain biking, I love my mountain biking. It is a real release to get on the bike after work, go for a ride, and try to keep active. - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Push the boundaries. - What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
This too shall pass. When things are really terrible and tough, just breathe and give it time. - What is the best part of your job?
People - I think we are all in it for people. I also enjoy working with my managers and looking at the bigger picture. Working for the RFDS and the relationships, connections and brilliant ideas shared is an incredible thing to be part of. - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
My most memorable experience has been when we initially came together as a mental health leadership group. We have a really hands-on, collaborative approach that we have developed over time - as well as our one for all and all for one mentality. We are all in it together and all work together to build the bigger idea of Mental Health for RFDS. - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
Try to win the war together because sometimes you may lose the battles along the way.This mindset focuses on the relationship and connection you have with the other person. Don’t point out what someone could be doing better, but rather, focus on the outcome and the relationship to mastermind behaviour change.
Jackie Quodling
Senior Mental Health Clinician | Nursing and Clinical Health Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
I find that I am drawn to watching lots of reno and gardening shows, giving me ideas for zen and better function. - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
Watching stand up – to lighten the mood and knitting/crochet, an activity which helps to distract from the day’s events. - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
Have recently joined a belly dancing group in Bamaga with other health staff – it’s lots of fun and energising. - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Calm. Adventurous. Living. - What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“This, too, shall pass.” At the end of the day most of our life/situations change for the better, and we keep moving forward regardless. - What is the best part of your job?
Meeting new people and walking with my clients to their destination - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
Everyday! Life at the top end of Queensland is incredible, horses everywhere – I often feed and chat with them, crocodiles, children jumping off the wharf (it’s called “wharty season”, being accepted by locals – some call me Aunty Jackie as a sign of respect). - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
Acknowledge how others are feeling
Take things slow
Share and get to know each other
Test the waters by giving information
Gently progress
Let them know any time is a good time to talk
Soobin Jung
Mental Health Clinician | Nursing and Clinical Health Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
Superwog on Netflix. I love sitcoms and I think that two Australian comedian brothers on the show set the bar really high for others. It’s over-exaggerated, quirky and so silly – exactly what I need! - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
Frozen yoghurt! If I feel stressed out, I put on more topping and it always works. - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
When I am back home, I like to cook my favourite food and put on a stand-up comedy show after taking a shower. - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Hammock, Music, Cocktail! - What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
KISS: Keep it simple, and smart! This saying was introduced to me by my English writing teacher at a language school a few years ago and has stuck with me ever since. - What is the best part of your job?
The special feeling of being able to happily close a young person’s file after seeing their life change and them being ready to move on from our services. - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
We were running a booth at one music event to raise awareness of headspace Cairns. This was a great day to connect with young people on site and have a good chat with them - plus, great live music too! - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
Chill, Chill and Chill dude! It is so much easier to place all the cards on the table and you only make things worse when you are heated. However, if you cannot keep your temper, it is better to leave the table than turn it over.
Grace Holden
Community Engagement Officer | Nursing and Clinical Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
I’ve just started the new Game of Thrones Series, ‘The House of the Dragon’, which I am LOVING! - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
Something that always helps me to feel at ease is focussing on my surroundings. Whenever I find myself getting worked up or stressed, I find it really helpful to focus on the noises around me, or the patterns in nature, or even to just focus on my breathing. This always helps me to shift my focus from things happening internally, to the external world. - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
After a busy day, I find the best way to unwind is by participating in my little rituals. I always like to unpack my lunch box, re-fill up my water bottles, and turn my work phone off as a way of ‘ending’ the day. These ‘rituals’ can sound a bit boring, but they’re such a good way for me to consciously recognise that I am done with the day, and that it’s now my time to unwind. This then allows me to really relax and move into ‘me’ time! From there, I like to sit on my couch with my partner and my dog and talk. - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Steady, vibrant and content. - What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I received was actually a saying my mum used to tell me when I was little, which was ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’. Even though sometimes telling someone what’s going on for you might not fix the issue, it can be so helpful to just get our problems out of our heads and to share them with someone. I often find when I am really struggling with something, even just the act of talking about it can help me to make better sense of the situation (regardless of whether the person I’m talking to even replies!) - What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is getting to work with young people. I am always so inspired by the strength, wisdom, and open-mindedness of the young people we get to work with. They keep me young! - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
My most memorable experience working at headspace Cairns, under RFDS, was hosting a MasQuerade Ball last year. It was an opportunity for our young LGBTQIA+ people to come together and celebrate pride, and hearing them talk about how incredible the night was, how much more connected they felt with their community after the event, and how supported they have since realised they are, is what inspires me to keep spreading awareness of the safe spaces that we have for our young people here in Cairns. - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
When having difficult conversations, it is really important to take the time to really listen and validate the experiences of those you’re talking to. You may not be able to understand what they’ve experienced, but showing support through validating their experience and recognising the strength it may take for them to talk about what they’ve been through can really make a difference to them.
Jessica Brotherhood
Mental Health Clinician | Nursing and Clinical Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
I am currently reading the Divergent series and then will watch the movies after – I like fiction in my non-work time to balance the non-fiction and seriousness of topics I come into contact with through my profession. - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
The one thing that helps me feel at ease is sunshine on my face. - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
After a busy day, I like to take a walk in nature looking for animals. There are so many turtles, crocodiles, and dugongs to watch out for in Cooktown and Wujal Wujal! - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Travelling, culture, experience. - What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
If it won’t matter in 5-years, why spend more than 5-minutes on it? - What is the best part of your job?
Watching clients’ have a moment of realisation when they connect with a specific moment or topic in therapy. Those are the wins that make the job. - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
Being invited by Bama (the Traditional Custodians of the communities I visit), to go on camp, fishing, and spend time with their families in the country to share their experiences and connect with their stories. - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
Acknowledge the other person's feelings, use “I feel…” statements, and learn when to “park” the conversation and come back to it later when emotional responses overtake rational discussion.
Tim Driscoll
Manager - Central West and Outback Mental Health | Nursing and Clinical Services
- What show/movie/ podcast are you obsessed with at the moment?
I haven't watched anything in ages; I've been a bit tied up - What is one thing that helps you feel at ease?
Swimming, walking in the bush and good company. (Learning to count might also help) - What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
Ideally, with a swim or a walk if I can - Using only three words, how would you describe your dream life?
Connection, meaning, fulfilment - What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don't fall into other people's stories - What is the best part of your job?
Working with amazing people - What has been your most memorable experience at RFDS to date?
Driving late at night after an event and stopping to look at the stars in the Outback with clear skies holding countless stars and listening to the sound of the bush at night - Do you have some advice on what helps when having a difficult conversation?
Have it, even if you have no idea how. Find a time and place where you have the time to listen for at least half an hour, a space where everyone feels comfortable and safe (not the pub!)
If you are worried about someone, tell them what you have noticed that has you concerned. Ask them directly if they are ok, and let them know you care and will be there if they do want to talk. Don't push too hard.
Listen to understand, let them talk, pay attention, don't worry about having the right words, and don't try to be fancy; sometimes, people just need to talk; you don't need to have all the answers. If you think they may be having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting themselves, ask them directly, don't shy away; you won't put ideas into their head by asking the question, but you might be able to save a life by reaching out and linking them in with the support they need.
Remember, help is a phone call away 13 11 14 Lifeline is around 24/7 and can help you or a mate through the toughest of times. You can get support if you are not sure what to do or how to help- keep your phone with you and stay in mobile range and help them make the call or make it yourself. Difficult conversations can save lives, and you don't need to do it alone.
