How can I help support a small business owner?
Beyond Blue has developed a guide to help you support the small business owners you know or work with.
Often people you are close to will be doing their best to cope with the everyday challenges of owning a small business. At times they may be at risk of developing a mental health condition.
There are many challenges that can affect their mental health, including long work hours, social isolation, customer demands, cash flow issues, work-life balance, job insecurity, lack of administrative support and more.
Your close connection as a work contact, friend or family member puts you in a great position to detect worrying changes in behaviour.
You are also in a position to recognise issues affecting the business that may be detrimental to the owner’s mental health and wellbeing.
This guide outlines actions you can take to support a client, customer, family member or friend, including:
- Who to contact for immediate support
- What are the symptoms of poor mental health and wellbeing
- How to speak with someone you’re concerned about
- How to help small business owners take action
- How to look after your own mental health
Support yourself and small businesses: A learning course for business advisers
We now have a free, four-part learning course, Mental wellbeing: support yourself and small businesses, designed to improve mental health and wellbeing literacy, and educate advisers about how to have an empathetic conversation with small business owners they know.
Resources for small businesses and sole operators
Are you a small business owner? Head to the small business section of our website for information and resources on supporting your mental health.