By Rae Wiltshire
For David Loncke, the segue to mental health counsellor was natural given that all his previous jobs were service-related. People often used to compliment him on his listening skills and express appreciation for his role in their well-being. These comments gave Loncke the impetus to consider becoming a mental health professional, prompting him to begin researching the field. He soon realised that a clinical and therapeutic path was the best fit for him.
A mental health counsellor with the Ministry of Health, he said he chose this profession because he realised that he could help people navigate their lives and emotions in a way that brings about positive change. Loncke mentioned that his love for the field continued to grow once he entered the profession. He believes that any job that creates such feelings is worth holding onto. He believes that through advocacy he can help to spread awareness about some of the challenges he experiences as a mental health counsellor which can help persons to prioritise their mental health.