Advice from the experts on mental health and wellbeing for you and your business

The past 18 months has seen some sound advice about how to maintain your health and wellbeing during challenging times. Some key messages drawn from informative articles like this one from ABC are:

• Stay active (your choice from home workouts to gentle walks)
• Keep connected (high- or low-tech options)
• Eat well (tip the balance towards healthy choices)
• Prioritise sleep (leave devices out of the bedroom)
• Choose when you’re on vs off (from work, social media, and the news)
• Find some joy (maybe reading, watching, being mindful, or enjoying a hobby)
• Take action if it’s all getting too much (see the resource list below).

Resources for business owners

The National Mental Health Commission has created toolkits for mentally healthy workplaces during COVID-19. 

• Sole traders
• Small business
• Medium – large business

Download the right one for you here: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/mental-health-reform/national-workplace-initiative/mentally-healthy-workplaces-during-covid-19

Creating a mentally healthy workplace

The Mental Health Commission reminds business owners that doing what you can to ensure you are not harming the mental health of your workers is part of your obligations. HeadsUp, the workplace arm of Beyond Blue even notes that mentally healthy workplaces are good for your business’s bottom line.

The key is communication, whether your business is open or you’ve joined the WFH (work from home) trend.

Staff, customers, and suppliers understand COVID’s impacts are not in your control. So, focusing on understanding and communicating will benefit everyone. The Commission’s guide for businesses during COVID encourages you to check-in with staff and listen without judgement.

Safe Work Australia has additional information on workplace mental health, tailored to specific industries, here: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces

Resources during COVID-19

Experts know that, for most people, any fun novelty elements of lockdown wore thin a long time ago.

The Australian Psychological Society reminds us that staying connected with others is vital in these times of distancing. Remind yourself there’s life beyond your four walls by staying in touch with friends and other supports.

Their guide also recommends keeping some structure in your day, try not keep separation between work and personal time, and share the load with others.

If having your family constantly nearby makes phoning a support service impractical, try web chat support offered by services like Beyond Blue or MensLine Australia.

Mental health and wellbeing organisations

Whether it’s you, your staff, or your family and friends who need extra support, these organisations are there to help:

Lifeline (We’re here for you): 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue (Support. Advice. Action): 1300 22 4636, beyondblue.org.au for info, forums and support via webchat

HeadsUp (Better mental health in the workplace): headsup.org.au

Find a psychologist (searchable directory): psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist or phone 1800 333 497

R U OK? (Learn what to say): ruok.org.au

Kids Helpline (Anytime. Any Reason): 1800 55 1800, kidshelpline.com.au

Looking for more support?

For guidance on a variety of COVID-19 related topics, please take a look at our series of advice articles:

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