Dike Onuoha’s career path has been one of resilience, growth and a deep connection to his work in mental health. But though his journey took an unexpected turn when he stepped away from Waypoint, he later returned with a renewed sense of purpose.
Today, in my role as Implementation Support Specialist, I’m helping build programs from the ground up and supporting and enhancing them so people get better access to services. It’s very rewarding.
Dike Onuoha, Implementation Support Specialist
Onuoha’s career in mental health began when he graduated from St. Clair College and the University of Windsor and got a job as a social worker, eventually rising to manage a crisis unit in the border city. After funding cuts eliminated the position, he moved his family to Barrie for a fresh start: “I was fortunate because I had received a severance package and got to spend a lot of quality time with my young kids. I took it as a blessing.”
Seven years ago, his path took him to Waypoint. He worked first as a Patient Relations Officer and later as Manager of the Central Intake Office. Like many others in that intense time, Onuoha found himself struggling during the pandemic to balance work and family life. So he took a job closer to his Barrie home as the Manager of a Child and Youth Unit, but the job satisfaction in his new role didn’t compare to that of Waypoint.
During this time of reflection, an unexpected call from Mike Dunn, Director of Health System Integration at Waypoint, changed everything. Dunn told him of a job opening that would allow him to return to an organization he had come to value deeply.
“I say thank you to Mike every day for that,” said Onuoha.
With renewed motivation, he stepped into his current position, which sees him building relationships across the region to enhance access to mental health services. Onuoha has played a key role in initiatives like the development of integrated care pathways for anxiety and depression, as well as the Feelings Pathways guides released in partnership with the Centralized Ontario Specialized Health Network.
One of the things he has come to value most about being at Waypoint is the ability to witness the tangible effects of his work.
I’m a people person. I love being able to connect with people in the community and within Waypoint, and being able to create change that I can actually see.
Onuoha’s return to Waypoint is a testament to the importance of finding the right environment in which to thrive. His journey, marked by challenges and self-discovery, serves as an inspiration to those navigating their own career paths, and his experience underscores the importance of prioritizing mental and emotional health.