BUSINESS leaders from across the Riverland came together last week at breakfasts in Renmark, Loxton and Waikerie to learn more about mental health in the workplace.
Business SA held SA’s Biggest Mentally Healthy Business Breakfast simultaneously at 10 locations across the state last Wednesday, including events at the Renmark Club, Waikerie Hotel and Loxton Hotel.
The breakfasts featured virtual presentations from 2020 Australian of the Year James Muecke, ifarnwell’s Dr Kate Gunn, Magarey medallist Zane Kirkwood and others who spoke from Adelaide about mental health in business and their personal experiences.
South Australia Mental Health Commissioner Sharon Lawn attended the Renmark breakfast, which was hosted by the Renmark Paringa Network.
Network membership and marketing co-ordinator Georgie Vermeeren said the breakfast was “really informative”.
“It was good to get some perspective on mental health from different levels and across different industries,” she said.
“There was a lot of great knowledge in there.”
Ms Vermeeren said the breakfast helped local business owners feel connected with others across the state.
“I think it gave everyone some insight that we are not alone in this – there are a lot of other regional towns that are doing it hard the same way that we are,” she said.
“There’s a lot going on and I think it was great in the digital age to be able to all connect with each other.
“Mental health is a challenge for businesses everywhere.
“It is still a taboo topic, and that’s why things like this breakfast are really important to get people talking about it and get a conversation happening.
“It’s not easy to approach that mental health conversation if you think it’s going to make matters worse, so to know how to approach those situations and let people know that it is okay to not be okay is really important.”
Ms Vermeeren said she was “rapt” with the amount of local business leaders who attended the breakfast.
“We encourage people to come to our upcoming events and we hope that more people can come along and get more information like we did at the breakfast,” she said.
“I think the participants did take away some tips and knowledge that they didn’t have before.”