Gowan Auto, the Irish company that imports and distributes a wide range of brands, including Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, DS, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and Honda, has lent its support to the mental health charity The Elephant In The Room.
Founded by Brent Pope
The Elephant In The Room is a social enterprise founded by former rugby player and mental health advocate Brent Pope and co-founders Dave Southern and Eoin Byrne and supported by a growing number of well-known ambassadors, including Adam Clayton, Caelan Doris and Charlie Bird. It tries to promote better mental health and well-being in the workplace, and has been signing up businesses which "want to showcase their CSR values and the importance they place on employee welfare."
According to The Elephant In The Room: "The concept is simple: an ever-growing herd of elephant sculptures of approximately four-feet in height and length, has been commissioned, decorated by professional artists, and displayed in reception areas and boardrooms, to actively demonstrate the importance they place on mental health awareness in their workplace."
Opel Movano van
To help with its work, Gowan Auto has donated an Opel Movano van to The Elephant In The Room, which will transport the elephant sculptures around the country. Gowan has also pledged to work hard to promote mental well-being among its 140 headquarters employees.
Speaking at the official presentation of the new Opel van, Dave Southern said: "The Elephant in the Room movement is delighted to welcome Opel and Gowan Auto on board as our new Official Vehicle Sponsors. We sincerely thank them for their extreme generosity in actively supporting us in such a practical way, as we continue to deliver bespoke elephant sculptures artworks to corporations all over Ireland. Our focus and drive seek to transform workplace environments into spaces where mental well-being is a priority; where people everywhere become more open to talking about the issues that most affect them, overcoming all stigmas."
Start the healing process
Brent Pope added: "We all have our elephants in our lives, whatever they may be, and sharing our vulnerabilities can often help start the healing process. My dream over the next few years is for our society to show greater awareness, understanding, compassion and empathy around mental health issues; to give people everywhere permission to talk about their mental health as openly as they would discuss a physical ailment, without judgement or discrimination, for the better well-being of the individual, family, workplace and society. Ultimately, I want to eventually see a brightly coloured elephant in every corner of Irish society, be it a house, sports club, school, university, embassy, corporate and multinational."
Last year, The Elephant In The Room raised €30,000 for its charity partner, The Samaritans, and this year both charities are planning a "major gala corporate event fundraiser" which aims to both raise funds for The Samaritans and also to highlight the organisation's 24-hour, 365 days support for people facing life's toughest challenges.