SPRING 2019 MENTAL HEALTH GET A HEAD START ON WELLBEING Business owners should be more mindful of their own and their employees mental health There are many positives to running your own business, but it also brings challenges that can make it harder to look after your mental health. After reviewing half a decade of statistics about the health of its members, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that three conditions make up more than half of the initial referrals to its medical care and advice service, FSB Care. These are: nOrthopaedic issues relating to the musculoskeletal system (35%) nMental health (17%) nCancer (6%) Stress is often an underlying or accompanying factor when physical conditions are present, so the number of people supported for mental health issues is more acute than data shows. If poor mental health does affect you or a member of your staff, it can also be difficult to know where to turn. Business owners usually have less time to deal with their personal health issues, so things can escalatequickly Business owners usually have less time to deal with their personal health issues, so things can escalate quickly. They are also reluctant to go for early checks and often have difficultly coming to terms with how they will manage their condition and their business. Offering the small business community advice and resources on wellbeing has been a recent focus for the FSB. It launched a campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week last year to suggest simple ideas and actions you can take to destigmatise mental health and address it in your workplace. Alongside practical advice, small business owners talk of their experiences with poor mental health and how they try to promote wellbeing in their businesses. The campaign also provides links to free resources from organisations such as Heads Together, Mind and Mental Health First Aid. Mental health is a huge challenge for society; an estimated 300,000 people lose their job each year because of a mental health problem something no employer should want. Business owners have a critical role in helping to destigmatise issues around mental health and in supporting people when they are struggling. Together with government and individuals, they can help create an open environment in which we can all talk about, and take care of, our mental health. Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager for FSB Image: iStock / Kubkoo For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service