Small business owners will have access to free, evidence-based mental health coaching services under a Beyond Blue initiative backed by the Federal Government.
Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. Under its NewAccess for Small Business service, coaches who themselves have a small business background will be trained to deliver evidence-based mental health support, free of charge, to small businesses around Australia via telehealth.
Two-thirds of small business owners say the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected their mental health, according to Beyond Blue. In response, the Commonwealth Government pledged $6.5 million in the 2020-21 Budget to support mental health and wellbeing of small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This support includes a commitment of $4.26 million towards rolling out NewAccess for Small Business.
Beyond Blue Chair, the Hon Julia Gillard AC welcomed the investment, saying “We know that prevention and early intervention are the keys to protecting mental health and preventing the deterioration of stress, anxiety and depression. 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.”
Beyond Blue Deputy Chair Kate Carnell said people would not require a referral to use the service.
Ms Carnell, who is also Australia’s Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, added, “Excessive, long-term stress can increase the chance of developing a mental health condition, so enlisting a coach early and getting practical information about stress management can make a real difference.”
Beyond Blue will work with the small business community to establish the new service in the coming months. In the meantime, for SME owners considering investing in some mental health services or business coaching, there could be some valuable benefits. A 2014 report from Big 4 accounting firm PwC[1] found that for every $1 an employer spends on successfully implementing practical actions around mental health, there is an average benefit of $2.30.
For more information about NewAccess visit: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess.
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).
[1] https://www.headsup.org.au/docs/default-source/resources/beyondblue_workplaceroi_finalreport_may-2014.pdf
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