Page 35 - Demo

SPOTLIGHT SERIES MENTAL HEALTH 33 DON’T BE FOOLED BY A TOUGH EXTERIOR BWy Margaret Mielczarek. hile they may put on a brave face each day as captains of their businesses, it may be that many small-business owners, retail pharmacists among them, are affected by stressful thoughts and experiences stemming from the Covid-19 rampage. As the pandemic gripped the nation and the world, the brunt of the storm widely impacted mental health. The unprecedented events that have unfolded, along with the measures taken to manage the spread of this incessant virus, have taken a toll, which is why several organisations have developed mental health services and supports, including those for small-business owners. For this month’s Retail Pharmacy Spotlight Series on Mental Health, we speak with Yohana Franklin, Project Lead from Everymind, which is promoted as a leading institute dedicated to the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide, to learn about how the organisation is supporting retailers. What are the signs and symptoms indicating that a small-business owner might be experiencing significant stress and potential burnout, anxiety and other mental health concerns? Mental ill-health can affect small- business owners of all ages and genders, geographic areas and industries. Knowing the warning signs and acting early is important. Be conscious of your own behaviour, and if you’re aware of a shift from your usual behaviour, this could be an indicator of mental ill-health. Some of the signs and symptoms of significant stress and potential burnout to look out for are: • Feeling tired all the time. • Difficulty concentrating. • Feeling overwhelmed, irritable and/or frustrated. • Change in sleep habits or appetite. • Feeling a lack of satisfaction with your achievements. • Lack of confidence. • Withdrawing from family and friends. • Unexplained physical complaints such as headaches and abdominal pain. Don’t be afraid to speak to someone you trust and ask for help. Acting early can make a big difference to your wellbeing and that of your business. What are the best ways to support small-business owners during the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to minimise the mental health concerns that may occur? Covid-19 presented, and continues to present, many challenges for small- business owners, such as adapting the business to rules and restrictions, decline in cashflow, and supporting staff, as well as the stress of isolation and anxiety around your own health and that of loved ones. The most important thing to do to support small-business owners is to check in on them, speak to them about how they’re feeling and listen respectfully and non-judgementally. You’re not expected to have the solutions. Just be there to listen if they want to talk, or simply spend time together. Encourage them to do things that support mental health and wellbeing – for example, getting enough sleep, exercising and making time for activities they enjoy. If appropriate, assist them to create an action plan, mapping out goals for their business and any steps they need to take. Sometimes talking or working through a plan of action can make things clearer and more achievable. If you’re worried that someone’s mental health is getting worse, encourage them to speak to their GP to seek professional advice, and you can also direct them to free online or telephone services such as Beyond Blue or Lifeline. From what you’ve seen in your organisation, what has the impact of Covid-19 been on the mental health of small-business owners? We’ve seen that small-business owners and their staff have been the hardest hit by Covid-19, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries. Unlike larger businesses, small businesses generally don’t have the financial buffer to cope with extended periods of decreased cashflow, or the resources to adapt to restrictions and change in the marketplace. According to a report released by the Department of Industry, Innovation and TO PAGE 34 RETAIL PHARMACY • JUN 2021