We previously reported that the Federal Budget has set aside $4.3 million to manage the mental health of small business owners, and now that World Mental Health Week is upon us, salon owners are being urged to speak up and get help if they need to.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has encouraged small-business owners struggling with the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic to seek help in World Mental Health Week, which runs from World Mental Health Day on 10 October until 17 October.
“This year, the World Mental Health Day focus is to campaign for greater investment in mental health services as the COVID crisis takes a heavy toll on wellbeing globally,” Ms Carnell said. “The enormity of the lockdowns and the psychological distress this has caused for small-business owners cannot be underestimated. Given small-business loans are often secured against the family home, it means if the business goes bust they can lose their home. This is a key factor impacting small-business owners’ mental health right now,” she added. “The good news is that Australian governments at all levels have recognised and substantially boosted support in the wake of increased demand over the course of this pandemic.”
The Ms Carnell highlighted the Federal Government’s announcement in last week’s Budget that they have $4.3 million to a new program for small business owners, called NewAccess for Small Business, that is expected to be rolled out in early 2021.
“This new program has formed part of the government’s $5.7 billion commitment to mental health, including $100 million to double the number of Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist from 10 to 20 per year,” Ms Carnell explained.
“It’s vital to seek help if you need it,” Carnell stressed. “Our My Business Health web portal provides free practical resources to help with running your business and also links to leading mental health organisations such as Beyond Blue.”
Visit the #BEAUTYSTRONG hub at https://professionalbeauty.go-vip.net/beautystrong/
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