We Are IH: MHSU team lead inspired by strength she sees in others

While she enjoyed nursing, Seija wanted to further her education. She earned a Master of Social Work in 2010 with the goal of working in acute care (hospitals). After she was posted to the inpatient psychiatric unit in Kamloops, however, she developed a passion for mental health work. She them transitioned into community mental health and substance use (MHSU). 

“Mental health and substance use work is what I love the most!” Seija says. “From working as a counsellor on mental health and substance use teams, to leading three different teams, I’m never bored. I’m always learning and growing.”

Seija has now been with IH for 20 years. In her current role, she leads a “fantastic” team of substance use clinicians at Kelowna MHSU. She’s responsible for overseeing the Substance Use counselling teams in Kelowna including the Adult and Youth Day Treatment programs, Adult Substance Use Counselling services, Aftercare program, Integrated Treatment Team, Supportive Recovery, and the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Group program.

She connects clients referred to MHSU to the right health-care clinician or program and supports clinicians in their practice through clinical supervision and support. “I’m always working with our teams to improve services through the efficiency and quality of our work,” Seija explains. “We encourage one another and keep the team moving in a direction of continual reflection and refinement of our work.”

One of her proudest moments at IH was when she was promoted to team lead at Cedar Sage Health and Wellness Centre. There, she was responsible for implementing team-based care with an “amazing team of enthusiastic staff.”

“I was determined to create a positive, healthy team culture. I worked hard to intentionally build team processes that fostered good communication, normalized problem-solving, and grounded us in a shared vision,” recalls Seija. “Several years later, I am still proud of the work we did in that clinic supporting 100 new clients every month.”

Two years ago, Seija had a major depressive episode. “It was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. Even though life is good, it is also hard,” she shares. “I think it’s important to share our hardships sometimes so that others can know they are not alone when they are struggling. After all, we are all human. We are all just doing our best.”

“I’m inspired by the unique strengths I see in others, whether the strength of clients or colleagues,” Seija says. “I’m always inspired by other humans.”

Outside of work, Seija keeps busy with her two children and her partner Dave’s family of four. Seija and her kids are excited to be visiting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon this summer.

Hiking is far and away Seija’s favourite activity. Whether it’s backcountry camping or a day hike, she loves to explore B.C. When she’s not hiking, you’ll find her renovating her home, and enjoying her recently rebuilt kitchen.

Seija’s favourite quote/advice to live by

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

“Ginger is a skilled access clinician in substance use. She’s a strong team player and always seeks to improve services. She has excellent, creative ideas and she works very hard! Ginger brings the values of excellence and quality work wherever she goes. She’s supportive to other team members and is valued as an ‘unofficial leader’ on the team.” – Seija Emond

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