A mental health program aimed at small business owners will be expanded thanks to Federal Budget funding.
The Federal Government committed $6.5 million to support the mental health and wellbeing of small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the recent Budget.
The Government will spend $4.3 million of the funding on expanding a current mental health program to provide small business owners with access to free one-on-one telehealth sessions.
The NewAccess for Small Business service will train coaches who have a background in small business to deliver mental health support.
Service provider Beyond Blue has welcomed the funding.
Beyond Blue Chair Julia Gillard says COVID-19 has brought considerable challenges for hardworking small business owners and staff.
“There remains chronic uncertainty surrounding the pandemic’s economic consequences and understandably, small business owners are experiencing significant stress and anxiety,” Ms Gillard says.
“We know that prevention and early intervention are the keys to protecting mental health and preventing the deterioration of stress, anxiety and depression.
Two-thirds of small business owners say the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected their mental health.
“This is why early and proven support from NewAccess coaches who understand the small business community and the unique pressures they face is so important.”
Click here for more information about NewAccess.
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).
The new Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Service is available 24/7. Its dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals briefed on the pandemic response, is now open on 1800 512 348.
Other mental health resources for business owners
Heads Up gives individuals and businesses tools to create mentally healthy workplaces.
This includes tailored content for employers, employees, managers and small business.
This includes information for business owners on taking care of their own mental health.
