New Wellness Coaches For Small Business

The Queensland Government has announced a series of measures to support the  mental health of business owners.

The Small Business Wellness Package includes new wellbeing coaches located in Cairns, Mackay, Townsville, Toowoomba, and North and South Brisbane (six new coaches in total), joining the existing state-wide network of over 40 rural, tourism and small business financial counsellors.

The counsellors and coaches will provide free, independent, confidential, one-on-one support to address the stressors and psychological support needs of small business owners.

The package also includes a $3 million Small Business Support Service Fund to assist with alleviating stresses for small business owners.

Announcing the package, the Minister for Small Business and Employment Di Farmer said a campaign featuring radio, digital and social media advertising, will remind small business owners that they are their business’ greatest asset and will encourage them get the support they need to keep their businesses running smoothly.

“Running a small business can be very rewarding but we know the pandemic produced some unique challenges – and the impacts of the flooding events in February further exacerbated these challenges for business owners in Southern Queensland – this is on top of the stresses of day-to-day life that we all experience. 

“We are also extending the very successful proactive education program ‘Small Business Smile4Biz’ developed by the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce. We are working with the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner and CCIQ to enable more chambers to activate a ‘Smile 4 Biz’ program to deliver local mental health support that is tailored to their local needs,” she said.

The package has been created in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.

Further information about the Small Business Wellness Package can be found here: www.business.qld.gov.au/wellness  or contact the Small Business Hotline 1300 654 687.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyondblue 1300 224 636

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.