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// EDITOR ’ S QUESTION ?
KATE HAYWARD , DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS UK & EMEA , XERO
A nswering why small businesses should focus spending on mental health initiatives is both straightforward and difficult . It ’ s straightforward because the enormous value of mental health support and creating an open workplace for them and their staff is not in question .
It ’ s a tough question because many small business owners would love to be able to invest time and money in mental health initiatives . Instead of asking why they should invest , perhaps we should ask why they can ’ t , and look at the obstacles in their way .
Owners and staff are facing a period of unprecedented uncertainty and disruption . Our recent study found more than nine out of 10 small business owners experienced symptoms of poor mental health during the last two years .
Challenging times
Small businesses don ’ t have the support they need – financial and otherwise – to embrace initiatives that could make a real difference to their mental health and business success . Almost half ( 47 %) of small businesses do not believe there is enough governmental support in place .
And this is a huge shame . Offering mental health support drives better economic outcomes and the ability to grow and retain more staff for businesses .
In fact , those who invested more than £ 1,000 in mental health initiatives enjoyed far greater revenue growth than those who invested less or nothing at all . They also recorded an average increase in employee numbers of 47 % between early 2020 and 2022 .
Given the small business community is so crucial to the recovery of the UK economy as a whole , more must be done to empower owners to embrace these initiatives .
Positive change
In the meantime , positive change can be made . For example , developing and encouraging a wellbeing-led workplace to help owners and staff better manage their mental health .
You can do this by making information around how the business supports mental health readily available and a key part of the employee induction process .
This can include introducing mental health first aiders in the office and sharing resources from organisations such as Mind .
It ’ s also important to set a positive tone through seemingly simple actions like encouraging full lunch breaks , as well as clear boundaries for working hours ( bearing in mind flexible working ) to enable better work-life balance and avoid burnout , and creating an open culture .
Owners who so often feel obligated to burn the midnight oil should try and follow these boundaries too , to both support themselves and set a good example for their staff .
While the benefits of mental health investment are clear , small business owners have so much on their plates at the moment it ’ s tough for them to prioritise it .
That ’ s why it ’ s so important for others to step up and help small businesses , so that owners can support their own wellbeing and that of their staff .
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OWNERS WHO SO OFTEN FEEL OBLIGATED TO BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL SHOULD TRY AND FOLLOW THESE BOUNDARIES TOO , TO BOTH SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR STAFF .
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