Small-business owners who are experiencing stress can now connect to a new, tailored mental health support service available on the My Business Health web portal.
The New Access for Small Business Owners program, delivered by mental health organisation Beyond Blue, is now operational and fully integrated into the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s My Business Health portal.
The program offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress.
In a statement released to mark the launch of the program, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson said that it’s important for small-business owners to consider their mental health and to reach out if they are not coping.
“Small-business owners have endured a lot over the past 12 months, particularly those hardest hit by the COVID crisis,” Billson said. “My Business Health is an excellent support tool for small-business owners and it now links to Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program.”
“New Access for Small Business Owners offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress,” Billson added. “Crucially, the New Access for Small Business Owners program is provided by coaches that have experience in small business. Being able to talk to someone who understands the mental load of running a small business will make a real difference.”
The Ombudsman also noted a recent Federal Government survey of 1000 small-business owners which revealed one in three were diagnosed with either stress, anxiety or depression. Financial concerns were noted to be the biggest contributor to their stress, according to the research.
“Small business loans are often secured against the family home, so if they lose their business they could lose their home. The stakes are incredibly high,” Billson said.
Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program is now available for registrations.
