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Resources for Small Businesses

If you operate a small business, there are numerous resources and programs available to help small business owners create mentally healthy workplaces.

Headway

To support Victorian small businesses, Business Victoria has launched Headway – the free small business wellbeing initiative.

Through Headway, small business owners, their employees and advisers can access business advice, financial counselling and mental health support free of charge through a range of programs and resources

Visit: www.business.vic.gov.au/Headway

The Headway initiative comprises a number programs, tools and resources developed through partnerships with leading researchers, mental health organisations, workplace safety experts and industry peak bodies.

These include:

Partners in Wellbeing Helpline

The Partners in Wellbeing Helpline provides free and confidential support for small business owners and their employees.

Through the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline, you can talk to trained wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors or business advisers. Consultations are free, confidential and provided on a one-on-one basis.

Call 1300 375 330 Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm or Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9am to 5pm.

You can also access a live chat or send an enquiry online at www.partnersinwellbeing.org.au

WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit for Small Business

The WorkWell Toolkit is a free online tool that supports small businesses to create a safe and mentally healthy workplace with step-by-step advice and easy to use resources for business owners and their advisers.

The WorkWell Toolkit is designed to support business owners to address work-related factors that influence the health and wellbeing of the workplace and prevent mental injury.

The topics include: role clarity, fatigue, respect, working alone or in isolation, change management, leadership, alcohol and other drugs, prevention of work-related violence and aggression, and more.

Visit: www.workwell.vic.gov.au/toolkit

Mindarma

Business Victoria is offering Victorian small businesses free access to an online wellbeing platform designed to enhance mental health and grow business and personal resilience.

The Mindarma platform is easily accessible across smartphones, computers and tablets and is developed by leading researchers and supported by the Black Dog Institute. The evidence-based learning program will enhance psychological resilience and protect mental health.

Mindarma is specifically designed for Victorian business owners and their employees and includes resources, mindfulness exercises and podcasts delivered over 10 short interactive sessions (each around 15 minutes – program can be completed in 3 hours).

Business Victoria’s Workplace Wellbeing Hub

A central place for small businesses to access a wide range of tools, resources and information
on mental health and small business wellbeing support.

The Workplace Wellbeing Hub provides information, services and resources to:

assist people to identify and manage stress
support small business owners and employees
create a mentally healthy workplace
support small business advisers
connect people to services in languages other than English.

Visit: https://business.vic.gov.au/business-information/workplace-wellbeing

Managing Small Business Debt

The Small Business Debt Helpline can help small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty.

The specialist financial counsellors on the Small Business Debt Helpline can provide advice on a range of areas including government grants, disaster relief, loan repayments, bills, rent, bankruptcy and insolvency.

Call: 1800 413 828 or visit the Small Business Debt Helpline website at https://ndh.org.au/debt-problems/small-business-debt/

Access is totally free.