Helping Hand: Support For Small-Business Owners' Mental Health
The COVID pandemic has put untold pressure on business owners, but a new HIA/Beyond Blue initiative aims to help
Did you know that one in five people involved in the construction industry has been affected by a mental health challenge such as depression and anxiety? That’s according to Lisa Grigsby, spokesperson for the HIA Charitable Foundation. With many professionals experiencing uncertain work, forced layoffs and the strain of keeping up team morale during COVID, the pressure on builders has only compounded over the past 12 months.
To help small business owners in the building industry cope in these trying times, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the HIA Charitable Foundation have teamed up with mental health support organisation Beyond Blue to develop a free, four-part online course – Mental Wellbeing: Support Yourself and Small Businesses. It is specially designed to improve your mental health understanding, spot the signs to be concerned about, and develop the ‘soft skills’ you need to have conversations with clients or colleagues about mental health.
To help small business owners in the building industry cope in these trying times, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the HIA Charitable Foundation have teamed up with mental health support organisation Beyond Blue to develop a free, four-part online course – Mental Wellbeing: Support Yourself and Small Businesses. It is specially designed to improve your mental health understanding, spot the signs to be concerned about, and develop the ‘soft skills’ you need to have conversations with clients or colleagues about mental health.
You can access the course via online training platform Go1. It comprises four modules:
“Through the course, there are scenarios you can work through so it’s very realistic and relatable. And the skills you learn are transferable to friends and family too.”
- Introduction to mental health.
- Look after yourself at work and home.
- Check on someone’s wellbeing.
- Support small business day-to-day.
“Through the course, there are scenarios you can work through so it’s very realistic and relatable. And the skills you learn are transferable to friends and family too.”
Glenn Jones, Marksman Homes
For builders such as Glenn Jones, managing director at Marksman Homes, initiatives such as these are invaluable.
His experiences as a business owner over the past 12 months are something many in the industry can probably relate to. “During the first three months months of COVID-19 there were no sales coming in, which, as a business was daunting, especially with no end in sight. As government incentives were introduced, restrictions eased and consumer sentiment lifted, we saw sales start to pick up,” he says.
For builders such as Glenn Jones, managing director at Marksman Homes, initiatives such as these are invaluable.
His experiences as a business owner over the past 12 months are something many in the industry can probably relate to. “During the first three months months of COVID-19 there were no sales coming in, which, as a business was daunting, especially with no end in sight. As government incentives were introduced, restrictions eased and consumer sentiment lifted, we saw sales start to pick up,” he says.
“Not knowing how long these challenges would last caused a large degree of uncertainty and anxiousness. Focusing on what I could control was an important way to cope with the ever-changing environment,” he says.
“Within my greater community area through this time there were five suicides of young people in five weeks, some of whom were apprentices. The impact for the whole community was gut-wrenching.”
“Within my greater community area through this time there were five suicides of young people in five weeks, some of whom were apprentices. The impact for the whole community was gut-wrenching.”
“Training like this will help people recognise early warning signs that someone might be struggling and know they can help. Even just by acknowledging that you notice, it might make all the difference in that person’s life,” says Jones.
“It’s also important for kids and apprentices to be aware of the information and support that is available.”
“It’s also important for kids and apprentices to be aware of the information and support that is available.”
Tim Hoopmann, a Beyond Blue speaker who also runs his own small business Spinn Business Solutions – a venture that helps businesses increase efficiency and reduce stress – agrees that the course helps to educate people about what to look out for, while providing the tools and confidence to approach these conversations.
“Taking care of your wellness and mental health is the first step towards better business,” he says. “When we take care of ourselves, it puts us in the best position to operate our business and take care of those around us – our teams, our customers and our suppliers.”
“Taking care of your wellness and mental health is the first step towards better business,” he says. “When we take care of ourselves, it puts us in the best position to operate our business and take care of those around us – our teams, our customers and our suppliers.”
You can access the free, four-part Mental Wellbeing: Support Yourself and Small Businesses course on the HIA website here.
For mental health information, advice and support, visit www.beyondblue.org.au.
If you’re in crisis and need urgent help, call emergency services (triple zero – 000), Lifeline (13 11 14), or go to your local hospital emergency department.
Your turn
What measures have you taken in your business to support your wellbeing and the mental health of your team? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, share it, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Go behind the scenes with four builders during the height of COVID-19: Open Book: 4 Builders on Construction, Competition and Covid-19
For mental health information, advice and support, visit www.beyondblue.org.au.
If you’re in crisis and need urgent help, call emergency services (triple zero – 000), Lifeline (13 11 14), or go to your local hospital emergency department.
Your turn
What measures have you taken in your business to support your wellbeing and the mental health of your team? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, share it, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Go behind the scenes with four builders during the height of COVID-19: Open Book: 4 Builders on Construction, Competition and Covid-19
The free HIA/Beyond Blue course aims to educate small business owners in residential construction on mental health basics, along with advice on how to make mental health a priority in your workplace so you can support others, how to approach those tricky conversations around mental health with someone you’re concerned about, and tips on maintaining wellbeing with healthy habits at work and home.