Program aims to ease stress among small business owners

RUNNING a small business can be exciting and empowering but can also involve stress and pressure coming from many directions.

Without healthy coping strategies, these demands can put them at risk of developing more severe mental health challenges.

Beyond Blue is encouraging small business owners to sign up to the NewAccess for Small Business Owners, a guided self-help program supporting the mental health of small business owners.

It is designed to help participants reduce stress and being overwhelmed by everyday life stressors such as running a small business, relationships, health or loneliness.

“I was experiencing business-related stress that spilled over into my personal life,” one participant said.

“By the end of the program, I had no anxiety and had complete confidence in my decision-making.

“The sessions were tailored to my specific challenges, and the weekly activities and coaching strategies were practical and realistic.”

The program uses Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that helps you break unhelpful thoughts by recognising the way you think, act and feel.

Free, confidential and convenient, NewAccess is available nationally by phone or video call, with no GP referral required.

Over six sessions, a mental health coach will work with participants to manage stress and being overwhelmed using straightforward problem-solving approaches.

All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background so they understand your unique challenges.

NewAccess might be right for you if you are 18 years or older, own a small business or are a sole trader with 20 employees or fewer, and are not presently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.

“I found by the end of the program I was worrying less but also managing my worry and anxiety particularly well,” another NewAccess participant said.

“This is a must have for small business owners who have been through it all over the past two years.”

The program is a joint initiative by Beyond Blue and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and is a response to rising calls for a dedicated mental health support service for small business owners.

NewAccess mental health coaching is based on the United Kingdom’s successful Improving Access to Psychological Therapies model.

The program is funded by the federal government and delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland.

For more information or to sign up, email [email protected], phone 1300 945 301 or head to beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/small-business-owners-submit-an-enquiry