Running a small business is no easy feat.
Juggling long days and managing cash flow while trying to maintain personal relationships and dealing with isolation if you’re working on your own can be a lot to deal with!
You are the most valuable asset to your business and prioritising your health and wellbeing – and that of those around you – will see you well placed to focus on your business.
To help you do this, we’ve put together this list of resources designed with small business owners in mind.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free and confidential mental health coaching and support program. During the program, you’ll work with a coach to identify and discuss the challenges you’re facing and create a personalised plan based on your needs. You’ll also receive up to five follow up sessions to work through your plan, learn practical skills and review your progress.
Ahead for Business
Ahead for Business has a range of free tools to help you take action when it comes to managing your health and wellbeing. It includes tools to help you assess your situation and create a wellbeing program for your business.
The Federally-funded Ahead for Business free Business Wellbeing online training aims to assist small business owners and their employees to develop their knowledge, skills and practices around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. The training encourages users to reflect on and learn strategies to support their own mental health and wellbeing, and support others in the workplace.
The training, expanded in October 2022, includes a training pathway tailored for small business employees, along with new content for small business owners, to support in creating a mentally healthy workplace. It consists of four short online modules that can be completed at times suited to small business owners and their employees.
Beyond Blue small business support guide
When small business owners experience mental health challenges, members of their business support network might be the first to notice. Beyond Blue’s ‘Supporting small business owners’ resource offers practical tips for close contacts helping a small business owner in distress.
R U OK? Day
The resources on the R U OK? Day website offer guidance on how you can start a life-changing conversation and help build a more connected world - at work, at home and in the community.
On 14 September 2023, and every day, ask the question R U OK? not only to your employees, but also yourself.
Free business advice from the SBDC
We provide a range of services to the small business sector, including free business advice and a dedicated dispute resolution service. If you would like to talk to a business adviser about your situation, call us on 133 140 or fill out this form to speak to a member of our team.
What else can I do?
There are some easy steps you can take to avoid exhaustion and burn out:
- Regularly switch off and disconnect from devices.
- Prioritise spending time with family and friends.
- Schedule in holidays or short breaks.
- Develop guidelines to help you separate business from personal time.
When it comes to your employees, it’s OK to ask people about the stress they are experiencing, and ask them why they think they are feeling that way. Sometimes just letting someone know that you are there to listen without being judgmental is a good way to help them cope.
What if I need to talk to someone now?
If you need to talk to someone now, the following services are free and available 24 hours a day:
- Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
More information
For more tips on how to manage your wellbeing as a business owner, read:
