If you are based in NSW and have an ABN, you may have received emails about mental health coaching being provided for free to businesses in NSW.
I received a number of these and just deleted them, thinking I didn’t need coaching on mental health. Then one day, I got a call from the company providing the service, “Transitioning Well”. I thought they were a little pushy but agreed to have an initial chat.
It was fairly standard fare and pretty much what I expected. They asked about any mental health issues within the business e.g. dealing with difficult clients. Also, did I hold regular meetings with my staff? Did I do regular check-ins? Did my staff have much autonomy?
I think I run my business successfully, I have done the Mental Health First Aid training and did not think I really needed any help. However, at the end of the chat, the consultant mentioned that, for each ABN, a business owner is entitled to four hours of coaching. I thought the area where some coaching might be useful for me is in the role of President of the PAA.
The area where I thought I needed help was delegating. I have always found it difficult to delegate when working with a volunteer committee. I know that everyone is busy and they have made a sacrifice of their time to be on the committee. So, if something comes up, I might ask if anyone has the capacity to do the work. If no one puts up their hand, I take it on myself. Consequently, I find myself under quite a heavy workload. Of course, this is not good for the organisation as I end up being a bottleneck.
So, I asked if I could work on delegation. The consultant was happy for that to be my focus.
The coaching is arranged over several meetings and I had my first session this week. It only lasted 20 minutes, however it was to the point and we set up some good strategies for me to work with and first steps.
I was quite impressed by the coach – She was knowledgeable and empathic. Her suggestions were practical and measurable.
We have our next meeting scheduled for four weeks time. Sessions are normally half an hour and I could have potentially requested a shorter time gap but I felt like I needed this time to put the strategies into place. Having said that, I think they are quite heavily booked so it might not have been possible to schedule anything earlier.
I am confident that this process will be helpful both for me in my personal development and for the improved functioning of the PAA committee. Thanks NSW Government!!
From the website: What is workplace mental health coaching
Through confidential one-on-one sessions, your coach will help address issues or identify risks to mental health within your business and give you practical tools and strategies to manage them. They can also help you fine tune any existing initiatives you have in place.
Topics you could discuss include but aren’t limited to:
- coping with stress or overwhelm
- resolving workplace conflict
- managing staff who have poor mental health
- improving workplace culture
- creating a workplace mental health policy
- responding to incidents.
92% of participants agree that the recommendations made by their coach are achievable and the coaching has met their needs.
Workplace mental health training
NSW Government are also offering free workplace mental health training. They have three programs available:
- Leading a Mentally Healthy Workplace – gives employers and executive leaders practical strategies to create a psychosocially safe and positive work environment.
- Managing for Team Wellbeing – helps managers and supervisors develop their wellbeing leadership skills to create a mentally healthier workplace.
- Your Mental Health at Work – gives sole traders and employees practical strategies to care for their own mental health at work and support others.
Not in NSW?
Check your local government website as they may be running similar programs:
Nationally – Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO)
VIC – Wellbeing and mental health support for small businesses
ACT – Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing
WA – NewAccess for Small Business Owners
QLD – Small business wellness coaches
TAS – Business Tasmania, Mental health and wellness
Robyn Rix, PAA President
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