KEEPING UP TO DATE

Beyond Blue recently launched a new service to support Small Business Owners (with less than 20 employees), called NewAccess. NewAccess is a free and confidential mental health coaching program, developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners, including sole traders the support they need. The program provides access to six sessions with a small business specialist coach to help owners overcome difficult issues and provides practical skills to help manage stress. Sessions are specifically tailored to individual needs and is available nationally by phone or video call. Access is available to people over 18 years of age who own a small business (with less than 20 employees) across all industries and includes sole traders. Some exclusions do apply and unfortunately, if you are currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist or dealing with severe/complex presentations you won’t be able to access this service. For more information about this service https://www.nsw.gov.au/mental-health-at-work/free-training-and-coaching

For larger businesses in NSW, the state government has collaborated with the Black Dog Institute offer free, expert led training and coaching for employers, leaders and employees of NSW businesses with less than 200 employees to support mental health in the workplace for a limited time.

For employers and executive leaders the free ‘Leading a Mentally Healthy Workplace’ training provides practical strategies to assist in providing a safe working environment, information about how to meet WHS obligations, boost productivity and save money. This training helps to unpack the legal, financial, ethical and reputational benefits of a psychologically safe business. Training is delivered via a one hour zoom session. For Managers and leaders the free ‘Managing for Team Wellbeing’ training will help to build wellbeing leadership skills and provide advice on how to support others with their mental health. Some elements covered by this training includes having mental health conversations, warning signs of mental ill health, designing healthier workplaces, legal obligations and self care. There are a number of options for how this training is delivered (an interactive 3 hour online course, face to face, or self paced learning).

There is also a free 2 hour ‘Your Mental Health at Work’ training for anyone who wants to improve mental health in the workplace and isn’t managing staff. This course teaches how to spot the early warning signs of mental ill-health and what to do, how to have mental health conversations and how to take care of your own mental health. Courses are offered as interactive workshops or as self-paced online learning.

For more information about what options are best for you and your team visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/mental-health-at-work