“Mental health is a serious issue for Australia’s small business community, [costing] the sector over $17 billion per year."
A free small business web portal has been launched to provide holistic support for small business owners experiencing mental health issues as a result of their concerns about their business.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell and Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash officially launched My Business Health at Canberra-based small business, Altina Drinks.
“My Business Health is a free web portal accessed via the ASBFEO website that offers practical information and resources about those day-to-day issues that keep small business owners awake at night,” Ms Carnell said.
“Many small and family business owners may not be aware that their everyday worries – be it cash flow, staff related concerns or paying suppliers – can actually cause high levels of psychological distress.
“That can have a serious impact on both mental and physical health.
“My Business Health has been developed in consultation with EveryMind, Beyond Blue and small businesses and provides useful tips to help small business owners with some of the issues that go hand-in-hand with running a small or family business.
“Mental health is a serious issue for Australia’s small business community with the Productivity Commission’s draft report into mental health finding the cost of absenteeism and presenteeism to the sector is over $17 billion per year.
“A recently released MYOB report revealed 56% of small business owners feel that running their business has directly brought on anxiety and depression.
“48% of those small business owners reported their anxiety was largely caused by financial and cash flow concerns.
“We know that it makes good business sense to invest in workplace wellbeing, with every dollar spent on creating a mentally healthy workplace providing solid return on investment.”
The website is a key initiative in the Morrison Government’s Small Business Mental Health package, which also includes:
• $3.1 million to expand the trial of mental health organisation Everymind’s ‘Ahead for Business’ program, to support small and family business — particularly sole proprietors.
• $500,000 to promote existing mental health resources for small business.
• Roundtables with small business and mental health sector stakeholders to inform on policy development, particularly for regional and rural Australia.
“It’s important that all small and family business owners look after their own health and are aware of the resources available to them,” Minister Cash said.
“The website includes additional links to specific advice for common issues that small business operators face because we know that when small businesses are supported to thrive and grow all of Australia benefits.”
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