Businesses are encouraged to get involved in R U OK? Day with new resources to prioritise wellbeing and promote open conversations about mental health at work.

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of employees has many benefits, including:

• increased productivity and engagement
• a safe and supportive workplace culture that attracts good employees
• meeting your workplace health and safety legal obligations

The R U OK? organisation has released new resources, including a Workplace Champions Guide. The guide encourages business leaders, owners and employees to build a safe and supportive culture in their workplace.

What business owners and employers can do

Make a point to check in with your workmates and employees this R U OK? Day.

The R U OK? Work page has resources for a range of industries, including:

• hospitality
• trades
• trucks and sheds
• motor trades

While R U OK? Day is 8 September, 'are you okay?' is a question we should be asking each other year-round. For ideas on how to inspire conversations about mental wellbeing at work, check out our Headway small business wellbeing initiative and the R U OK? website.

Resources for business owners

Operating a business is both rewarding and challenging. Some easy ways to take care of your mental health are:

• Mindarma, the free self-paced online wellbeing program that works. It includes 10 interactive 15-minute sessions
• Partners in Wellbeing Helpline – speak to trained financial counsellors, business advisers and wellbeing coaches for confidential one-on-one support, 7 days a week
• WorkWell Toolkit for small business – step-by-step guide for employing businesses to create a mentally safe workplace
• R U OK? and Yellow Pages' Mental Health Handbook for Small Business Owners