The health and wellbeing of small business owners, the self-employed, and the staff of small employers is at the heart of a new campaign launched by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) today.

The new drive from FSB will help its members - and the 5.5 million-strong small business community across the UK - reap the benefits of a positive approach to wellbeing, which should be felt not only by the business itself, but by the economy and society as a whole.

Alongside Public Health England and other organisations, such as the mental health charity, Mind, FSB has developed 'Wellbeing in Small Business: How you can help', a guide aimed at providing small business owners and the self-employed with ideas they can adopt to improve mental health and wellbeing. It includes advice on how to start conversations about stress, mental health and wellbeing, tackling loneliness, managing pressures including through flexible working arrangements, networking, workplace fitness groups and improving the physical environment.

The campaign has been launched in response to a rise in incidents of health and mental health conditions across the UK's workforce, including business owners and the self-employed. The annual bill for sickness absence already sits at £29 billion across the UK, while research from FSB's medical and health advice service shows that the number of small businesses seeking mental health advice has doubled in the last five years.

Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said: "Owning and running a business can be hugely rewarding. However, it brings with it demands, responsibilities and risks that can bring personal pressures that can impact a person's health and wellbeing.

"Wellbeing can help increase our productivity, improve our performance and reduce absenteeism. There is a clear business case, however, the benefits are felt not just in our health as individuals, but also by our communities and the wider economy."

Despite 60 per cent of the UK's private sector workforce now being employed by small businesses, the advice and support for employers and individuals in supporting health and well-being has generally focused on large companies. This guide and the campaign aims to be the first step in addressing this.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive at Public Health England, said: "Britain's 5.5 million small businesses are the backbone of the nation's economy so it is imperative that they have the tools they need to keep their workforce healthy.

"Staff who are healthy in work are more productive and businesses that promote a progressive approach to wellbeing can see a significant impact on business performance.

"This guide from the FSB highlights simple steps a small employer can take to help improve the health of their employees. This includes low or no cost actions, including signposting to opportunities such as the One You 'Couch to 5k' and 'Active 10' apps or local lunchtime run clubs, or promoting active travel like cycling to work."

Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said: "A recent Mind survey found that 56 per cent of workers polled said they found work very or fairly stressful. We all have mental health just as we all have physical health, and it can fluctuate from good to poor for any number of reasons.

"Whether you are self-employed or run a business, mental health should be a top priority for you. It is really important to promote wellbeing and take steps to tackle the work-related causes of poor mental health among your staff, as well as looking after your own wellbeing. Mentally healthy workplaces are associated with engaged, productive and loyal staff so it's in everyone's best interests to prioritise mental health at work.

"We're pleased to be supporting FSB in taking this forward and would encourage small employers and the self-employed to make good use of this guide."