Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ministers statements: small business mental health services

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:14): The Andrews government is proud to be providing small business owners with free access to Mindarma, an evidence-based online mental health support tool. Mindarma is being made available to Victorian small businesses and their employees to help with daily challenges and the ongoing uncertainty due to the pandemic. Supported by the Black Dog Institute and the University of New South Wales, Mindarma is an education program developed by leading researchers. Through 10 short interactive sessions accessible on a computer, tablet or smartphone, users learn mindfulness and cognitive techniques for resilience and to manage workplace stresses.

Sally Wallace, from Melbourne’s Rome2rio travel business, recognised her staff needed additional wellbeing support during the pandemic. Mindarma tailored a program specifically for their 40 staff members, with an emphasis on resilience, practical skills and strategies. This program forms part of the Labor government’s $26 million commitment to providing timely and needs-based support through the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses initiative announced back in August 2020. Other initiatives include the Partners in Wellbeing helpline, a free and confidential service that provides support for small business owners and their employees, with wellbeing coaching, financial counselling and business advisory services available seven days a week; and the small business edition of the WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit, supporting small business owners and sole traders to create mentally healthy workplaces. In addition, Business Victoria is still accepting applications for the mental wellbeing of business communities grants program, which offers eligible local trader groups and business chambers free mental health training plus grants of $15 000 to deliver a related project.

With the remaining time available to me, I would like to express my profound admiration for our small business community and their determination to look after the wellbeing of their employees and indeed themselves and their families through what has been an extraordinary and unprecedented set of circumstances. We are proud to work with them to enhance what is available to support them to do that.