McCORMACK WELCOMES ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Riverina and Central West small business owners and their staff have a new mental health service to turn to for help.

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government was investing an additional $3.1 million to expand mental health and wellbeing services available through the Ahead for Business initiative to ensure small business owners and their staff could access support and resources.

“Like many other regions across Australia, the Riverina and Central West has been severely affected by a long drought and now the COVID-19 pandemic and these crises have taken their toll on hard-working small business operators and their most valuable asset – their staff,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Government has responded in many ways to help people cope with the financial and mental health challenges faced by the small business sector and I am pleased it is reaching out in another way through Ahead for Business.”

Hosted by mental health organisation Everymind, the digital hub offers small and family businesses resources including articles, videos, podcasts and toolkits.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said while the financial assistance the government had provided was essential, it was imperative to also provide mental health and wellbeing support for those working in small businesses.

“Being a small-business owner comes with a unique set of pressures and responsibilities such as isolation, financial stress and workload pressure,” Minister Cash said.

The Government is making record investments in mental health services and support with expenditure estimated to be $5.2 billion this year alone.

Supporting mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Government’s highest priorities.

Everymind Acting Director, Associate Professor Carmel Loughland said the Institute was proud to launch the new Ahead for Business digital hub.

“The Ahead for Business digital hub is part of a national strategy designed to support small business owners in every setting and empower them to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing,” Associate Professor Loughland said.

“A healthy mind supports a healthy business.”

Users of Ahead for Business will also be able to access anonymous peer-to-peer forums and an online wellbeing plan is among the range of supports available.

For more information on Ahead for Business visit: www.aheadforbusiness.org.au

Further resources to support small business owners’ health and wellbeing can be found at My Business Health and Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.