All Invercargill and Bluff residents have until the end of October to take up Rio Tinto’s offer of counselling under its international COVID-19 employee assistance programme scheme.

The smelter company’s mental health and support services had been previously offered exclusively to employees but was extended in June to all residents in Invercargill and Bluff.

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter has this week reminded Southland Chamber of Commerce members of the opportunity to access the counselling programme, which is being paid for by the Australia-based multi-national company, and not its New Zealand subsidiary, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters.

Rio Tinto’s website says the company has pledged $25 million to support global grassroots, community COVID-19 preparedness and recovery around the world in 2020.

Rio Tinto New Zealand external relations director Jen Nolan said she did not know exactly how many people had taken up the offer.

“But we really encourage the community to use the service to just talk to another adult, a professional who can listen and really help,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, NAZS is supporting a presentation in Invercargill next week (Monday 7) by mental health campaigner Mike King, titled “Dealing with wellbeing as a business leader’’.

The confidential counselling service is being provided by a Perth-based corporate counselling service called BSS. Ms Nolan said New Zealand-based counsellors would be offering the sessions.

Counselling will be offered to those experiencing situations such as stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, addiction (alcohol and drug use), conflict management, anger management, sleep and fatigue problems, family and domestic violence, loss and grief, and unresolved trauma.

NZAS chief executive and general manager Stew Hamilton said in a media release the COVID-19 crisis “has been a difficult time for people in our workforce and communities, and the impact this can have on mental health and wellbeing shouldn’t be underestimated’’.

“We believe the counselling services offered to our employees can also really help support the people connected to our company in other ways, and we are pleased to now offer this assistance more broadly.”

The BSS counselling service can be accessed by contacting BSS direct on 0800 820 035.

Mike King’s Southland Chamber presentation is at Ascot Park Hotel from 12.30pm – 2pm on Monday September 7.

Due to COVID-19 Level 2 restrictions the event is limited to 100 people. It costs $55 for a chamber member) or $70 for a non-member. 

Chamber events and marketing manager Michelle McSoriley said more than 90 tickets had sold.

“We’ve had a brilliant uptake. . . We were very lucky to secure him,’’ she said.

Ms McSoriley said the chamber was also encouraging the community to take up the Rio Tinto offer.

She was aware of a small number of enquiries but could not say how many people had decided to contact BSS directly.