Mental health and wellbeing resources for businesses

Running a business can bring about many work and personal challenges that can affect your mental health, particularly for small business owners. Trying to manage multiple responsibilities while running your business may cause you stress when those challenges exceed your ability to manage them.

As a small business owner, it's essential to look after your mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of your staff, so you can stay on top of business challenges and workplace stress.

Read more about mental health and small business and workplace stress.

Warning signs and symptoms

If you need help now, find a mental health service. Phone triple zero (000) or go to a hospital if you (or someone you know) is in immediate danger.

Make sure you are aware of the early warning signs and symptoms that may indicate you're struggling with your mental health.

Check to see if you are experiencing any of these physical or psychological issues.

Take some time to read and explore the resources and support available below to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing (and of your staff), especially during stressful times.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) mental health resources

These COVID-19 mental health and wellbeing resources, tips, advice and support have been developed by the Queensland and Australian Governments, to help you manage during the pandemic.

• Queensland Mental Health Commission
  • a small business owner's guide to creating a mental health and wellbeing plan – develop strategies to help with your own and your employees' mental health
  • information on COVID-19 and mental health, crisis and support contacts, videos, and support services
  • information sheet on mental health and wellbeing for small business
  • small business information on business support, managing change, supporting colleagues, self-care and more

• Queensland Department of Health
  • Looking after your mental health during COVID-19 restrictions – tips and information on looking after yourself and those around you
  • Head to health – tips, support and resources on maintaining good mental health during stressful times
  • Your mental wellbeing – strategies and advice on looking after your mental wellbeing and building your resilience during COVID-19

• My business health – access to tools, templates and tips to manage and proactively engage with running your business
• Australian Psychological Society – Coronavirus (COVID-19) anxiety and staying mentally healthy fact sheet (PDF, 106KB)
• Beyond Blue – Coronavirus mental wellbeing support service offers information, advice and strategies for business owners and managers.

General mental health and wellbeing resources

Read these general resources from government and mental health organisations.

• Find a mental health service if you need help now – phone triple zero (000) or go to a hospital if you are in immediate danger.
• Heads up – Beyond Blue's mental health support website for employers and business, provides a wide range of resources, information and advice tailored to your business, including
  • a guide to help small business owners improve mental health and wellbeing at work – designed for business advisers to support their clients' mental wellbeing. The guide includes practical information, tips and links to further resources.
  • an anxiety and depression checklist to reflect on how you are feeling
  • an interactive action plan tool to help you develop a tailored strategy to make your workplace mentally healthy.
• Black Dog Institute – tips and information on how to make your business or workplace mentally healthy.
• Dear mind – ideas and inspiration for incorporating mental wellbeing activities into your everyday life and links to wellbeing resources and support services.
• R U OK? – mental health resources, including a mental health handbook for small business owners that encourages business owners, leaders and employees to build an R U OK culture in the workplace.
• Mentally healthy workplaces toolkit (mobile version (PDF, 7MB)) – practical tools and resources from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to help you make positive steps towards a mentally healthy workplace.

Also consider….

• Read more about mental health and wellbeing.
• Learn about mental health and wellbeing support from the Australian Government.