“Long overdue”: $3.6 million for small business mental health under new government package

The federal government will spend $3.6 million tackling small business mental health issues under a new policy package announced by Small Business and Family Enterprise Minister Michaelia Cash on the weekend.The funding will primarily target the provision of advice and support services for small business owners experiencing mental health issues, with an eye on developing further policy in the area.Citing PwC research which found a link between small business mental health and productivity, Cash said the money would pay dividends.“I have met with hundreds of small businesses across Australia over the last few months and mental health has been a key issue raised with me, in particular by sole traders,” she said in a statement. The PwC analysis found every dollar spent on workplace mental health among small businesses returns $14.50 in productivity benefits.More broadly, a recent survey of 440 business owners conducted by not-for-profit mental health advocates Everymind found rates of symptoms associated with depression and anxiety are higher than the national average.More than half (57.6%) of Everymind’s respondents reported stress levels which fall outside of the “normal” range.