‘It is inspiring, motivating and heartwarming’

 

Helping patients recover from addiction and mental health challenges is fulfilling work for Shavon Stafford.

As an Addiction Counsellor at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Shavon cared for patients by helping them overcome these challenges and prevent relapse with mindfulness, emotion regulation, psychoeducation, and other topics in group therapy and one-on-one sessions.

“I loved coming to work every day on Georgianwood,” she said. “I was able to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, and I was constantly learning and developing my skills. When a client puts in the work and starts to see results, it is inspiring, motivating and heartwarming.”

Georgianwood is a hospital inpatient program serving patients who are 18 and older and experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, known as concurrent disorders.
 
One person in particular stands out for the special mark they made on Shavon. They were the first patient she supported through the full three-month program. They entered the program for their family’s benefit, but gradually realized they had to do it for themselves.

“All the goodness you invest in yourself will spill into other areas,” Shavon said. “This client wrote me a thank you letter when they graduated, which I have framed on my desk. My favourite sentence reads: ‘Your positive spirit has been such a driving force in my recovery.’”

Shavon recently assumed a new role as a Rehabilitation Counsellor at Waypoint’s North Simcoe Youth Wellness Hub. She employs some of the same techniques at the Hub, which was one of the first in Ontario to help people aged 12-25 connect to mental health and substance use supports. There are now 27 Hubs created by the provincial government. They also provide access to primary care, employment supports, peer support, housing support, Indigenous programming and 2SLGBTQIA+ services. Stafford helps youths connect with services, while also supporting those who drop in to hang out or participate in wellness activities.

“Youths can encounter many barriers in their pursuit to find accessible mental health support, housing, work, health care and other services. It is very rewarding to connect youths to relevant, timely and diverse services when they come to the Hub for support.”

Growing up in Muskoka, Shavon long ago decided she wanted to work in mental health. While studying forensic psychology and law at Carleton University, a professor connected her with Dr. Zoe Hilton, Waypoint’s Research Chair in Forensic Mental Health Science. This led to a volunteer position in 2021 supporting research on trauma among psychiatric workers, and then employment as Youth Lead in the Mindfulness Ambassador Program, followed by Youth Resilience Co-ordinator for the Preventative Online Mental Health Program for Youth.

Since joining the hospital as a volunteer, she has made significant strides in her career, thanks in part to the support and mentorship she received from more senior staff. “I am very grateful to my mentors. I was a new grad, and they believed in me and gave me more opportunities as I proved myself," she said, noting senior staff provided guidance, training opportunities and a sounding board for her professional growth.

Shavon’s success also underscores the importance of the hospital’s Mentorship Program, which supports new employees in feeling welcome, learning about the hospital’s culture and practices, and building skills, knowledge and experience.

“I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities at the Hub and helping clients achieve their wellness goals.”