Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners

Small businesses may be under increased financial and emotional pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Business Balance initiative will provide $7 million in 2020-21 to support small businesses.

The Australian Government is providing $4.3 million in funding to expand Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program to deliver tailored, free mental health support to small business owners.

NewAccess is a free and confidential mental health coaching program for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues, such as work, study, relationships, health or loneliness.

The Australian Government is providing $2.2 million in funding to Deakin University to deliver a professional development program for small business advisers. The program, run in partnership with the Institute of Public Accountants, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, integrates mental health first aid training with relationship-centred, business mentoring that will empower small business advisers to better support the mental wellbeing of their small business clients.