Victorian Small Businesses Gain Free Access to Mindarma Thanks to Business Victoria
Victorian small business owners and employees can now gain free access to Mindarma, as the Victorian Government works to boost mental health and wellbeing.
Mindarma is an evidence-based online education program, supported by the Black Dog Institute. The program includes ten short interactive learning sessions and is available on computer, tablet or smartphone. Proven to enhance psychological resilience and protect mental health, the initiative will provide timely support to all those across the Victorian small business community.
In addition to their everyday challenges, many small businesses have faced significant disruption and ongoing uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Mindarma, users discover all about mindfulness and learn a range of cognitive skills which can help them when faced with difficult thoughts, uncomfortable emotions or times of high stress.
Mindarma co-founder Dr Sadhbh Joyce is proud her program is now helping others in small business. “When you run a small business, it can be very easy to get so focused on looking after it, that you forget to look after yourself. I hope many business owners and their employees will make mental health a true priority and take some time out with Mindarma,” says Dr Joyce.
This program forms part of the Victorian Government’s $26 million commitment to providing timely and needs based support through the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Businesses Initiative, announced in August 2020.
Other key elements of this initiative include the Partners in Wellbeing helpline, a free and confidential service that provides support for small business owners and employees with wellbeing coaching, financial counselling and business advisory services, available seven days a week on 1300 375 330 and small business edition of the WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit, supporting small business owners and sole traders to create mentally healthy workplaces with step-by-step advice and practical resources.
Victorian small businesses can register for free access to Mindarma until 30 June 2022.
For information on this and other wellbeing resources, visit the Workplace wellbeing hub on the Business Victoria website.