10 October is World Mental Health Day, a time for those of us who struggle with mental health to shake off the stigma and bring attention to an issue that’s all-too-often ignored. A difficult past couple of years has not helped things for many, with lockdowns and rising unemployment contributing to even more feelings of grief, depression and anxiety affecting millions of South Africans.
Research has shown that this stress can become toxic if an individual feels unsupported or doesn’t have the resources necessary to cope, though the perceived cost of mental health services and the stigma attached to mental illness in our communities means that it often goes unreported and unaddressed.
That’s why Lynca Meats strengthened their relationship with LifeLine Vaal Triangle as part of the #LyncaLeadershipChallenge just a few months ago, and are actively expanding their involvement again!
“There simply is no Lynca Meats without the communities around us. They are our neighbours, employees and our customers, too, so it’s our duty to do our part to keep our communities healthy” said Melissa Franken, CSI Liaison at Lynca Meats. “Mental Health is vital all-year round, but World Mental Health Day is a great occasion to let people know that they don’t need to suffer alone, and that there are resources available to help”.
Lifeline Vaal Triangle is an NPO that offers counselling, training, trauma assistance, shelter for abused women and children, and much more; all in communities where access to these services is not usually possible. With service Centres in Vereeniging, Sebokeng, Sharpeville and Palm Springs, the organisation has been providing life skills in an endeavour to counter the social ills of the community in the area since 1984.
“Along with LifeLine, we are proud to be able to continue the good work we have done, offering employees support on common mental health issues through the Lynca Lifeline workshops, a safe space to break the stigma and talk about our issues in a constructive and supported way”, said Franken.
Lynca Meats encourages anyone living in the area who may be in need of mental health support to contact LifeLine Vaal Triangle to learn more about the many resources on offer, including programmes for women and teens, personal growth courses, counselling, and HIV/AIDS-related services.
Visit www.lifelinevaal.co.za or find LifeLine Vaal on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lifelinevaal.
About LYNCA MEATS
From its humble beginnings as a family-run piggery in 1988, LYNCA MEATS has evolved into a leading pork producer in South Africa, processing over 360 000 pigs annually. At LYNCA MEATS customer partnerships and relationships are at the core of their success, they go the extra mile to provide each customer with a unique, customised service and product offering to ensure optimal customer satisfaction, growth, and profitability. To underpin this passion and purpose and to ensure consistent quality, LYNCA MEATS implements rigorous safety and quality practices and are accredited with the highest quality management system worldwide, FSSC22000.
Food safety is an increasingly complex undertaking and producing safe, high quality and nourishing food are fundamental to LYNCA MEATS’ very existence. All quality certifications, highlighting that LYNCA MEATS systems rate amongst the best in the world to ensure food safety and consistent quality, includes Pork360 Abattoir Registration; SANS 10330: 2007 HACCP (SABS); PAS 220 (SABS); Woolworths Proof of Audits; Food Safety Assessment Audits and Export Status Certificate (ZA14).
For further information, please contact:
Refilwe Makamedi
M: 073 544 4376
