Jodi Bush speaks to a packed One Door Illawarra luncheon in 2023 – this year the mental health organisation is doing its annual fundraiser a little differently. Photo: One Door Illawarra.
One Door Mental Health has gone one step further with its annual luncheon for 2024.
The event, which raises crucial funds for the organisation’s Wollongong clubhouse, has always aimed to raise awareness about mental health via a keynote speaker.
This year, it’s been expanded from a luncheon to a full-day conference, boasting a variety of speakers, panellists and workshops.
Deputy Chair Jodi Bush said now, more than ever, it was critical business owners and leaders had the skills they needed to manage their own mental health and create a psychologically safe workplace.
“The conference can give more tools to make mental health more practically relevant for businesses,” she said.
“Psychosocial claims occur four times more than any other claim, and organisations are required to meet standards to provide a psychologically safe environment for their staff.
“It’s really costing businesses and we want people to walk out with the skills they need to create those safe environments.”
Jodi said she wanted this year’s conference to move the dial on mental health in the Illawarra in more ways than one.
After she lost her husband to suicide, Jodi saw the ripple effect it had on her, her children and the broader community.
All of the proceeds from the conference will support the One Door clubhouse in the Illawarra and three other community mental health initiatives.
“I feel very personally motivated to make sure we have as much impact as possible,” Jodi said.
“There is a very genuine need for support and all of us on the One Door committee are dedicated to making sure there are services available to people struggling in the Illawarra.
“As well as providing that support, we hope people walk away from the conference feeling inspired, with some tools they can use themselves to flourish.”
Speakers at this year’s conference include Paul Smith, owner of Sydney Kings and chairman and founder Total Sport + Entertainment, who will talk about his personal experiences with mental health as well as his success in business; former opposition leader, business leader and philanthropist John Brogden AM; GP and medical director Dr Charlotte Middleton who will speak on the foundations of mental health and former professional rugby player and founder of the Mental Health Movement, Dan Hunt.
Some of the workshops on offer will include a Buddhist teacher from the Nan Tien Temple sharing ways we can be more compassionate to ourselves and others, and a speaker from the Happiness Lab on how to build flourishing mental health.
One Door Mental Health was formerly known as the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW and has delivered mental health programs for more than 35 years, specialising in severe and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and schizoaffective disorder and borderline personality disorder.
The clubhouse committee has provided a space for people with chronic mental health conditions to socialise and access support for 20 years.
The clubhouse is open to all people struggling with their mental health, regardless of whether or not they are on the NDIS.
“The primary purpose of the clubhouse is to remove that isolation,” Jodi said.
“Often if people are living with a chronic mental health condition, they feel they have nowhere to go.
“The clubhouse creates a really nice connection back to the community, and it gives people a reason to get out of bed in the morning; it’s critical.
“There are also support workers to help people navigate the NDIS and our funding gives people who are not on the NDIS the ability to access services.”
The conference will be held at the Sage Hotel in Wollongong on Friday 18 October from 9 am to 5 pm.
Tickets are on sale and early bird pricing is available: Mental Health in the Workplace Conference Tickets, The Sage Hotel, Wollongong | TryBooking Australia
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
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