On 11 October, thanks to an invitation from Lake Macquarie Business Growth Centre, I attended the launch of Ahead For Business at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery

Ahead For Business is a new evidence-based response to the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners in NSW, developed by Everymind in Newcastle, and designed to reduce the onset and impact of mental health problems in those who work in small business. It is being piloted in Lake Macquarie, Singleton and Parramatta.

My parents were small business owners and through them I have some understanding of the challenges faced by small business.

There are a number of unique risk factors faced by small business owners, which can result in poor mental health, poor general health and family conflict.

The launch brought together small business owners from right across the Lake Macquarie LGA together with guest speakers - former Wallaby Clyde Rathbone, David Burroughs (recognised expert in workplace mental health) and Jaelea Skehan (Director of Everymind and an internationally respected leader in the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide).

Congratulations to all involved in developing the pilot and I look forward to seeing mental health support being provided to small businesses across the state.