Free Confidential Mental Health Support For Small Business Owners
Being a small business owner is a unique experience which can involve stress and pressure coming from many directions.
If you aren’t sleeping, struggling to concentrate, or are just feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day challenges, consider NewAccess for Small Business Owners. Developed by Beyond Blue, NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free mental health coaching program offering flexible phone and video call support options for small business owners so they can manage stress and improve their mental wellbeing.
Coaches of the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program all have a small business background, allowing them to better understand the challenges small business owners may face. No doctor’s referral is required. “One great thing about NewAccess was the accessibility. I was under so much stress financially and it was free.” — NewAccess participant.
To find out more or enquire today visit beyondblue.org.au/newaccess-SBO, or if you know a small business owner, let them know about the new program.
Key points
- Running a small business can be highly stressful. Long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues and the competing demands of work and home life can leave around a third of small business owners feeling high levels of distress.
- NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a Beyond Blue initiative funded by the Australian Government and is available nationally via Telehealth.
- You don’t need a doctor’s referral or a mental health plan, so NewAccess gives small business owners easy entry to practical, early support for their mental health, helping to prevent symptoms from potentially getting worse.
- NewAccess uses low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practices across six sessions to provide people with a personalised toolkit to manage day-to-day challenges and help break the cycle of negative and/or unhelpful thoughts.
- NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free, confidential mental health coaching program developed by Beyond Blue, supporting small business owners to improve their mental wellbeing.
- The program uses an initial assessment carried out by a clinically supervised coach to identify if NewAccess for Small Business Owners is the most appropriate service to support your mental health. Individuals under the age of 18 or those currently receiving psychological or psychiatric treatment are not able to access the service.
- The program uses relatable language and concepts and is delivered by people who have a background in small business – making it an ideal service for small business owners.
Alternative support
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is not a crisis service and is not suitable for individuals experiencing a significant amount of mental health distress. NewAccess Coaches are trained to assess the potential effectiveness of the program and may suggest step-up options to you, in consultation with their clinical supervisor. A step-up option is an alternative service that may be more suitable for your current needs.
NewAccess is not a crisis service. If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please go to your local emergency department or call 000.
Other 24-hour support services include:
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Lifeline – 13 11 14
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Sane Australia – 1800 187 263
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Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
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Mensline Australia – 1300 789 978
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Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
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Beyond Blue Support Service – 1300 224 636
The Better Access initiative is available for people to access a number of cost subsidised sessions with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist. To access this initiative, you need to complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan with your GP.
