As a proud Kamilaroi woman from western Sydney, Krystal Ingram can relate to those from unique and diverse backgrounds better than most.
Together with a strong connection to her First Nations culture and community, Krystal’s compassionate nature is what drew her to West Moreton Health’s Allied Health Graduate Program.
The two-year work-based program is open to new allied health graduates – including exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, provisional psychologists and social workers - with the aim of developing and applying their skills in mental health.
Krystal (pictured) joined the program, which offers a dedicated First Nations Identified Allied Health Graduate position, in 2023 after graduating as a social worker and has not looked back.
"The program has been an amazing way to broaden my perspective and equip me with the tools and confidence to excel in my field," Krystal said.
"Growing up in a large family, I've always valued the strong community connections that have shaped my life and being deeply connected to my culture and community has been a real driving force.
"I'm passionate about fostering these connections and supporting others in building their own networks."
Krystal said her interest in mental health stemmed from "a combination of personal experiences and a deep commitment to empathy and understanding".
"Witnessing the struggles of friends and family and seeing the positive changes that compassionate support can bring inspired me to pursue this field," she said.
"I want to contribute to creating a space where people feel heard, valued and empowered to work through their difficulties.
"I was drawn to the Allied Health Graduate Program because it offered the chance to dive into various areas of mental health.
"As a social worker, I was particularly interested in how it could help me better support the community with a broad range of knowledge.
"The program has really set me up for my future career by providing a diverse range of experiences and helping me develop my social work identity."
Importantly, it has also allowed her to strengthen her First Nations connections.
"Even though I’m away from my cultural kin and community, the Allied Health Graduate Program has offered fantastic support both culturally and professionally," she said.
"I’ve had a cultural supervisor who has been with me throughout my journey and I’ve also had the chance to connect with the beautiful Ipswich rivers during our supervision sessions, which helped me stay grounded.
"I’ve been fortunate to be involved in numerous cultural events at West Moreton Health, engage in traditional cultural practices and connect with Elders and other members of the cultural community.
"These opportunities have been invaluable for deepening my ties with the community, and being part of the Allied Health Graduate Program has been an incredibly rewarding experience."
Applications for the next intake into West Moreton Health’s Allied Health Graduate Program close on 29 September, 2024.
For more information, visit: Allied Health Graduate Program in Mental Health - West Moreton Hospital and Health Service | Employment and jobs | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au).