Meet Shauna Barnes – Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mental health education manager.

Shauna’s background in child psychiatry research has given her a passion for mental health awareness and advocacy. She’s motivated by the desire for adolescents, parents, teachers, and community members to have the knowledge and resources to recognize and support those struggling with a mental health condition.

Here are 10 things to know about Shauna!

1. What was your first job?
For my first job, I was a summer camp counselor! I started as a junior counselor at age 15 and went on to work every summer for the next eight years. I taught water skiing, sailing, canoeing, and team building. I also learned a lot about myself during this time. I was fortunate to build friendship with some of the best people I’ve ever known, and I’m still close with many of them to this day.

2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasures are eating sweets and taking naps. 

3. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Listen to your intuition and trust yourself.

4. What’s your favorite movie scene and why?
The Do-Re-Mi scene from The Sound of Music when Maria and the kids are traipsing around Salzburg in nothing but some old drapes and having a marvelous time. It makes me want to have a picnic in the Alps, ride a train, and visit a garden!

5. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was on a news fluff piece because my pet duck escaped after our fence fell during a storm and it walked into someone’s house. I was in the third grade, and it aired during the Nancy Kerrigan Olympic skating competition.

6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
The name of my autobiography would be Coffee, Prozac, and Moxie.

7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When not at working, I’m with my husband and our three kids (ages 11, 8, and 4). I enjoy cooking, reading, visiting museums, traveling, and spending quality time with my people.

8. What are your top three TV shows you’re streaming right now?
I cycle back through comforting comedies like Ted Lasso, The Office, Friends, and Schitt’s Creek.

9. Where’s your favorite travel destination and why?
Italy! I love Renaissance Art — both the art itself and the history and stories behind it. The landscape and architecture are enthralling. Everywhere you look there’s some form of beauty. And, of course, the food! I have celiac disease, and you might be surprised to know that Italy is one of the most gluten-free friendly countries in the world. There’s plenty of amazing gluten-free pasta and pizza there!

10. Why is Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission important to you?
I love learning about how our brains work and why we do the things we do. My clinical research background and personal experience with depression inspires me to have open, honest conversations around mental health.