Mental health and wellbeing support for business

The impact of COVID-19 on small businesses is devastating and the toll it is taking on people’s mental health is serious. It’s important that you and your employees get the right emotional support.

You can access mental health support through various means, such as:

• general practitioner (GP) or Telehealth services
• online and phone-based counselling sessions
• chat and email based mental health services
• online workshops and webinars

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Beyond Blue has a free 24/7 service to help you deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your mental health and wellbeing. The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service includes:

• online information and self-help tools
• phone counselling from trained mental health professional
• peer support
• tips to help run your small business from home

As a business owner, you have a duty under WHS laws to manage risks to your workers’ mental health arising from their work.  It will also help you:

• reduce staff absenteeism and lost working days
• increase staff productivity

You’re legally required to look after your workers' mental health under a variety of laws. This includes:

• Providing a physically and mentally safe workplace and managing any risks to the mental health of your workers arising from the work of your business (WHS laws).
• Preventing discrimination against workers with a mental health condition (anti-discrimination laws).
• Protecting your workers’ personal information – don't tell anyone about your workers’ mental health conditions unless they agree to it (privacy laws).
• Not taking any unfair action against someone because of their mental health condition (fair work laws).

Beyond meeting your legal obligations, you may wish to implement initiatives to promote good mental health. These can have positive impacts on your business.

Risks to mental health can be managed through the same process as you use for physical risks:

• identify the hazards
• assess the risks
• control the risks
• continually review the control measures to make sure they are working

As with physical risks, you should involve and consult your workers throughout this process. Your workers are a great source of information on the risks in their work and options to manage these.

To identify the hazards:

• have regular conversations with your workers to find out how they are
• understand causes of stress in the workplace and manage them
• look out for signs of stress in your workers

Stress is the physical, mental and emotional reactions you have when the demands of your job exceed your ability or resources to cope. Stress itself is not an injury but if prolonged or severe can cause psychological and physical injury.

With the pressures of running a business you may find you’re getting stressed and susceptible to mental health challenges. Here are some ways to reduce your stress levels:

• Maintain a healthy work-life balance, make time for family and friends and activities you enjoy.
• Exercise regularly to help boost your energy levels and improve stamina.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthily and getting enough sleep.
• Allow yourself to say ‘no’ so you don’t over commit yourself.
• Plan events ahead of time, so you know what’s coming up.
• Find ways to relax and unwind, such as meditation, listening to music or incorporating breathing techniques into your daily routine.
• Get support when you need it – talk to someone and ask for help.

Create a mentally healthy workplace

In a mentally healthy workplace, people feel supported, happy coming to work and comfortable talking about mental health. The Heads up website has a range of resources to help you to:

• create a mentally healthy workplace
• look after the mental health of your staff
• know what signs to look out for in yourself and others

Promote mental health initiatives

As a business owner, you can help promote mental health in your business by:

• increasing staff awareness of mental health conditions
• encouraging help seeking behaviour in your staff
• reducing the stigma associated with mental illness in your workplace
• encouraging people to take ownership of their mental health and wellbeing