Mental health support for businesses

SUPPORT for the mental health of Victorian business owners dealing with the emotional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is coming as part of the State government’s new wellbeing initiative.

Western Victoria upper house MP and Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford announced details of the $26 million program to address mental health needs of business operators at St John Ambulance Australia’s Ballarat training facility last week.

As part of the program, St John Ambulance will provide accredited training for mental health support to chambers of commerce across Victoria.

Ms Pulford said this training is about addressing the needs and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty for small and medium operators.

“Providing mental health support training to chambers of commerce will give local businesses access to support networks and the knowledge to steer people in the right direction when issues arise,” she said.

“People doing the mental health course will be placed in organisations like Commerce Ballarat or the AHA, services that our businesses go to when they need assistance.

“This program is very much about bridging the gap between business support knowledge and expertise and mental health support knowledge and expertise.”

Although there are other mental health schemes for Victorians impacted by COVID, this project is distinctive by its aim to address business related stressors.

St John Ambulance Victoria chief executive Gordon Botwright said the program fits in with the organisation’s overarching mission to service and assist humanity.

“Our training equips businesses, chambers and industry groups with skills to lead a business owner through some of the desperate conversations they may need to have,” he said.

“The course is similar to first aid in the way that we prepare people to be first responders but in a mental health setting.

“We always believe that there is an opportunity for all businesses large or small to not only have a physical first aid provider, but also a mental health first responder in the organisation.”

Aside from the St John mental health training, there are two other components funded by the $26 million government investment.

These include the embedding of mental health specialists in business associations to provide staff with training to respond to people in distress and the expansion of the Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline.

Although the free hotline is already in effect, Ms Pulford said the other new services will be accessible from this month.

“These services will be available for business owners to reach out and talk to someone who can give them some practical advice,” she said.

“It’s about offering a helping hand to those that are feeling anxious or low because of the abrupt change to their lives.”

Businesses affected by current restrictions can apply for a grant from the Business Support Fund until 14 September 2020 at business.vic.gov.au.

To access the Partners in Wellbeing mental health support hotline, call 1300 375 330.