It may come as no surprise but two thirds (66%) of small businesses feel COVID-19 has impacted their mental wellbeing, according to new research presented by MYOB.
Additionally, 58% reveal the pandemic has negatively impacted their business.
So it’s important for anyone as a small business to remember, that you are not alone in this.
The research conducted involved more than 1200 small business owners and operators, and coincides with the launch of a new partnership with leading Australian non-for-profit in the preventative mental health space, Smiling Mind.
MYOB Chief Employee Experience Officer, Helen Lea says that the launch is coming at a time when small business owners really need it.
“We have been talking to small businesses about their mental health and wellbeing for the last couple of years and working with Smiling mind on this partnership for the last six months.
“We could not have known how important these conversations would become as small businesses face a pandemic and business operating restrictions,” says Ms Lea.
While running a business can be rewarding, she continues, “running a small business brings with it, a range of stressors and challenges”.
Co-Founder and Chair of Smiling Mind, Jane Martino expresses how helpful this partnership can be for small businesses.
“This partnership with MYOB has enabled us to deliver free, easily implementable tools to help those feeling the strain. We know that when you allow your mind to enter a state of calm, you have the mental clarity to help your business thrive – we want to deliver a sense of control to business owners at a time where control has been so elusive.”
The top five factors shown via the survey that impacted wellbeing in the last 12 months are:
- COVID-19 (55%)
- Finances (51%)
- Work-related stress (45%)
- Lack of sleep (41%)
- Relationships (22%)
