Australian billionaire James Packer has been hospitalised with a suspected heart attack, just days after stepping down from his gaming empire due to mental health issues. The 50-year-old resigned as a director of Crown Resorts Limited last Wednesday and sought treatment at a high-end US hospital.
Mr Packer's resignation has sparked discussion about mental health among top business leaders. He has been described as one of the most senior business figures to step down after publicly disclosing mental health issues, a move that experts say is rare but important.
John Brogden, chairman of Australian crisis support service Lifeline, praised Mr Packer's decision, calling him a 'lonely figure in business, but at the same time a brave and important one'. Business leaders often hide mental health illnesses due to fear of market or colleague perception, Mr Brogden noted.
Mr Packer, who inherited his fortune from media tycoon father Kerry Packer, has faced recent personal challenges including a high-profile split from singer Mariah Carey and involvement in a scandal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is being treated at the Pavilion clinic at McLean Hospital in Boston, which offers a 14-day programme costing $55,300.
Mental health experts say the competitive corporate world creates high pressure, and that seeing high-profile figures like Mr Packer seek help can reduce stigma. Dr Grant Blashki from Beyond Blue noted that 'mental health can affect everybody, even for high-fliers, they're not immune'.
