SMALL and medium business owners in the Bega Valley are invited to a free morning tea this week to learn about mentally healthy workplaces and the benefits they bring.
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With around one in five Australian workers currently experiencing a mental illness, the event is a joint initiative between beyondblue and NAB – Australia’s largest business bank – to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety.
The free event will be held at 10am on Thursday, at the Merimbula Bowling Club, 119 Main St, Merimbula.
Tickets can be obtained by calling Malcolm Hughes on 0410 443 427.
The event will build on the success of Australia’s first workplace mental health campaign Heads Up, which beyondblue launched in May in conjunction with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.
beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said the morning tea presented an opportunity for business people to improve not only their mental health and that of their employees, but also their bottom line.
“Small-to-medium businesses in particular have many opportunities to improve the mental health of staff that large corporate organisations do not,” she said.
“This is because of the closer connections that owners and leaders in these businesses often have with their staff.
“But these characteristics also create challenges.
“We know that many small business owners, particularly sole traders, along with leaders in medium businesses may be doing it tough and struggling with their own mental health.
“There are a few simple and no cost actions that both small and medium businesses can take that can make a huge difference to workplace mental health, including getting input from staff about policies and influencing the work environment by speaking openly about mental health.
“All local small and medium business owners in and around Merimbula should attend this event and learn about creating a mentally healthy workplace.”
Research commissioned by beyondblue and conducted by PWC as part of Heads Up found that every $1 Australian businesses invest in effective workplace mental health strategies generated a return of $2.30.
This is because workers who are mentally healthy are more productive, take fewer sick days and make fewer compensation claims.
Malcolm Hughes, senior business banking manager at NAB Bega, encouraged all local business owners to head along to the event and hear about the benefits of operating in a mentally healthy workplace.
“As the largest business bank in Australia, NAB is proud to partner with beyondblue on such a fantastic initiative to raise awareness on mental health," he said.
"Three million Australians are living with anxiety or depression, and it's important for business owners to be able to spot the signs in their employees and know how to provide support.
“We work closely with the local community, and this is another way NAB is adding value to the local business community.
“I encourage everyone to get involved with raising awareness to help improve the wellbeing of people in the workplace.”
