Small business owners at risk of mental illness if they don’t speak up

SMALL business owners are the least likely to ask for help with mental health issues and risk losing their businesses because of it.

Australia’s first small business and family enterprise ombudsman Kate Carnell said small business operators are among the group unlikely to seek help for mental health problems. Picture: Supplied

SMALL business owners are the least likely to ask for help with mental health issues and risk losing their businesses because of it.

Ranging from truck drivers to lawyers, Australia’s first small business and family enterprise ombudsman Kate Carnell says these are some of the most prevalent groups affected by mental health problems.

She said it’s critical for smaller operators to take time to assess their workplace situations and seek help if needed or assist those who do need assistance for mental health problems.

“The reason small business owners are less likely to get help is because they can’t get time off and they feel they can’t take a break because they have to be tough because everyone is relying on them,’’ Ms Carnell said.

Ranging from truck drivers to lawyers these are some of the most prevalent groups affected by mental health problems. Picture: Supplied.

“We are trying to get workplaces to realise that there are things you can do about this, it’s really expensive if you don’t.

“The message is seek help because if you crash and burn and you're a small business person your business can crash and burn with you.”

She said men were more inclined not to talk about mental health issues that women.

Ms Carnell urges workplaces to have both leadership and a mental health policy in place to help employees facing mental health problems.

A new initiative dubbed Heads Up looks to address these issues by giving individual and businesses free tools and resources to take action.

Beyond Blue’s general manager of workplace Patrice O’Brien urges employees and employers to seek assistance as soon as possible if they are facing mental health problems.

“The challenge for small business owners if they are not working their business can go under, 60 per cent of businesses are sole operators and reliant on themselves,’’ she said.

“In terms of mental health early intervention is the best, but if they keep going they end up getting far worse.

“We recommend things to help small business owners such as turning somewhere to get help if they have signs and mental health problems, for instance seeing your GP.”

The Australian Taxation Office recently engaged with small business operators who have battled mental health issues to work on ways employers and employees could be assisted through these tough times.

“The initiatives being developed from this engagement include training from ATO front line staff to better understand mental health issues,’’ the ATO spokesman said.

It also included how to assist them with taxation and superannuation obligations while they are experiencing mental health issues.

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