Tiny is mighty when changing habits

By Business SA, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive, Martin Haese

Published in The Advertiser SA Business Journal on Tuesday 26 October 2021

Business SA has been talking about mental health throughout October as part of national Mental Health Awareness Month. As the peak independent body for business in South Australia, we have run many events and webinars this month with our members and the broader business community to discuss what it means to create a mentally healthy workplace. Our mental health challenge has been part of the daily activities for hundreds of South Australian businesses and today we celebrated South Australia’s biggest mentally healthy breakfast at Adelaide Oval and virtually across South Australia’s regions. Today’s event involved thousands of South Australians sharing a simple meal and having an open conversation as a sign of support for Mental Health Awareness Month.

With October soon drawing to a close, I am keen to make sure that we keep this conversation going. To make this happen, Business SA is extending its commitment for Mental Health Awareness Month into November with another online event. Join media and sports personality Luke Darcy and mental health advocate Brett Burton on Wednesday 10 November, 10am until 11.30am for a conversation around the science of caring for wellbeing. To register for this online conversation, go to our webinar page at www.business-sa.com

This webinar is for executive teams, managers and staff to educate everyone on how to care for their personal wellbeing, amplify resilience, improve work performance, and inspire team connection. Personal wellbeing is highly changeable when we follow a simple framework: tiny is mighty when it comes to changing our habits. In this webinar, Luke and Brett will discuss how to focus on your strengths to improve work performance and create authentic connections. I encourage you to join Luke and Brett in this conversation.

Business owners have told us that they are unsure where to start creating a mentally healthy workplace. One important aspect to remember is that it isn’t about rolling out a flawlessly planned program. What is important is that you start. It can be as simple as putting out a fruit bowl or encouraging your team to take a walk at lunchtime (especially now that spring is upon us).

Looking out for the wellbeing of your team starts with understanding what your team really needs. It then means connecting the right resources to meet those needs. Our Business SA members have a range of products and services that are available for you to help meet the wellbeing needs of your team. These include a wellbeing coach to help you navigate the complexities of what your team needs most, or embracing the arts as a means of exploring where people are at in their lives.

Emotional mastery is essential for developing a positive culture within your workplace, and our members can support you with implementing this in your workplace. Preventative mental health and wellbeing strategies can include fun and simple techniques that are a little bit unique. Have you ever considered how using a uniform in a business can create equality across your team and not let people feel left out?

Ideas such as these are available as part of our on-demand offering on the Business SA website, so watch these to consider some more ideas about how to create a mentally healthy workplace. While October may soon be over, the imperative to better support mental health in the workplace should be an ongoing priority. There is no better time than today to take some tiny but important steps to create a mentally health workplace. Visit www.business-sa.com for all the information.