Health Workforce Spotlight: John Enyong (Copy)

Tell us about your role and what a typical day looks like?  

My name is John Enyong, and I’m the Mental Health Team Leader for the Psychotherapies Team at North and West Remote Health (NWRH). Based in Townsville with routine visits to Mackay and Cairns, I have the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team of clinicians who are deeply committed to improving mental health outcomes across Far North Queensland.

Everyday centres around one core mission: ensuring our clients receive the highest quality care that transforms their lives. My role involves supervising our diverse clinical staff, coordinating services across regions, reviewing care plans, and working directly with clients when needed. What makes each day truly meaningful is seeing how our team’s collaborative efforts translate into real, positive changes in people’s lives.

A typical day might start with clinical supervision, where we work together to ensure every client receives evidence based, personalized support. I then travel between Townsville, Mackay, or Cairns to maintain strong connections with both our staff and the communities we serve. Whether I’m coordinating care for a complex case, supporting a team member’s professional development, or meeting with community partners, every action focuses on helping our clients achieve better outcomes and reclaim their wellbeing.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

The most rewarding aspect of my work is witnessing the tangible, life changing impact we have on our clients’ lives. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone who arrived at our service struggling with overwhelming mental health challenges gradually rebuild their life, rediscover hope, and reconnect with what matters most to them. Every small victory matters: a client managing their anxiety enough to return to work, someone rebuilding family relationships after years of isolation, or a young person finding the courage to re-engage with education. These moments remind us why we do this work.

I’m equally inspired by watching my team grow in skill, confidence, and compassion. Our clinicians bring such dedication and innovation to their work, constantly finding new ways to tailor support to each client’s unique needs and cultural context. The opportunity to work across Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns means we can share insights, learn from each community’s strengths, and ensure consistency in quality care across Far North Queensland.

What truly energises me is knowing that behind every statistic, every care plan, and every clinical note, there’s a real person whose life is improving because of our team’s collective efforts, supported by NWRH’s commitment to regional mental health and NQPHN’s investment in these vital services.

Is there a particular patient story or experience that has stuck with you?  

One story that powerfully illustrates the impact of our team based, client centered approach involved a person in our region who was experiencing profound isolation and severe depression following a devastating family breakdown. When they first connected with our service, they had withdrawn from nearly all social contact, were struggling with daily activities, and felt hopeless about the future.

Through our Psychological Therapies program, we developed a comprehensive care plan that went beyond just therapy sessions. Our team provided regular evidence based psychological support, practical skill building around emotional regulation and coping strategies, and we coordinated closely with community supports to address social isolation. We worked collaboratively with their GP, connected them with peer support groups, and maintained consistent, compassionate contact even during the toughest moments.

Over time, something beautiful unfolded. This client slowly began rebuilding relationships with family members, gradually regained their independence, and eventually returned to meaningful activities that brought them joy. The transformation wasn’t instant. It was the result of trust, consistent care, multidisciplinary teamwork, and the client’s own courage and resilience.

What stays with me most is their message months later: “For the first time in years, I feel like myself again. I didn’t think this was possible.” This is why we do this work. This is the outcome we strive for with every client: not just symptom reduction, but genuine restoration of quality of life, connection, and hope. And it’s only possible because of our team’s unwavering commitment, NWRH’s integrated care model, and the strong partnerships we’ve built across Far North Queensland.

Why do you choose to work in a regional, rural, or remote area? 

I’m deeply passionate about bridging the service gaps that exist in regional, rural, and remote communities, where mental health support is often under resourced yet desperately needed. Every person in Far North Queensland deserves access to high quality mental health care, regardless of where they live, and I believe our team is making that vision a reality.

Working in regional areas allows for something special: close community engagement, genuine relationships with the people we serve, and the ability to see the direct impact of our work. When you improve one person’s mental health outcome in a regional community, the ripple effects spread through families, workplaces, schools, and social networks. We’re not just treating individuals; we’re strengthening entire communities.

The regional setting also fosters incredible multidisciplinary teamwork and innovation. We learn to be resourceful, creative, and collaborative in ways that ultimately benefit our clients. Plus, there’s the opportunity to shape real system change: to build services from the ground up that are truly responsive to community needs, culturally safe, and sustainable for the long term.

For me, this isn’t just a job location. It’s where I can make the most meaningful difference in people’s lives.

What do you like to do outside of work when you are out and about in your community?  

Outside of work, I love immersing myself in everything northern Queensland has to offer. The outdoors here are spectacular, from coastal walks to exploring the hinterland, and getting out into nature helps me maintain the healthy work life balance that’s so important in our field.

I’m also passionate about giving back through volunteering in community events. Being involved in local activities keeps me connected to the communities we serve and reminds me of the incredible resilience and strength that exists here. I also enjoy local sport, which is a great way to stay active and build connections beyond the professional setting.

Time with family and friends keeps me grounded and energised. These relationships and activities outside of work aren’t just important for my own wellbeing. They help me bring my best self to the work we do with clients. They remind me that recovery and wellbeing are about balance, connection, and finding joy in everyday moments: the same things we help our clients rediscover.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I want to emphasise what a privilege it is to lead such a committed, skilled, and compassionate team at NWRH. Every day, I’m inspired by both our clients, who show remarkable courage in seeking help and doing the hard work of recovery, and our staff, who bring their whole hearts to this work.

Our success in improving client outcomes across Far North Queensland isn’t about any single person. It’s the result of collaborative excellence: our frontline clinicians providing outstanding contemporary care; our care coordinators ensuring seamless service delivery; our administrative teams keeping everything running smoothly; our senior leadership at NWRH championing regional mental health; and our partnership with NQPHN, which provides the funding and framework that makes this work possible.

The Psychological Therapies program, alongside our other mental health initiatives, is genuinely changing lives across Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns. When I travel between these communities and hear directly from clients and families about how our services have helped them reclaim their lives, rebuild relationships, and find hope again, that’s when I know we’re achieving what matters most.

I’m continually grateful for the opportunity to contribute to regional mental health in Far North Queensland, and I’m honoured to work alongside people who share the same unwavering commitment to improving client outcomes and building stronger, healthier communities.

NQPHN Funded Programs/Services at NWRH

Psychological Therapies (PT) – Evidence based therapeutic interventions delivered across Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns

Primary Mental Health Care – Integrated mental health support in primary care settings

Indigenous Mental Health Programs – Culturally appropriate mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Programs – Comprehensive support for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions

Telehealth Mental Health Services – Ensuring accessibility for clients in remote locations

NQPHN is proud to support health professionals in our region.