How to Stay Ahead of the Game: Mental Health Coaching for Small Business Owners
Running a small business is rewarding. It’s also hard work. Whether you’re a sole trader or you employ a few people, it’s easy to feel stretched, overwhelmed, or like you should always have everything under control. Here at Acctivate, we believe that taking care of mental wellbeing is just as essential as managing cash flow, operations or client relationships.
That’s why we want to shine a spotlight on NewAccess for Small Business, a free coaching program from Beyond Blue especially made for small business owners and sole traders who are finding the journey tough.
What is NewAccess for Small Business?
NewAccess is a mental health coaching service tailored to people who run small businesses (20 or fewer employees) or who are sole traders. It’s designed to help people who:
- are feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed
- are struggling with work-life balance or burnout
- want practical tools to manage stress, worry, sleep issues, exhaustion, and relationships
Some of the standout features:
- 8 free coaching sessions, no GP referral required
- Flexible delivery with coaching by phone or video, to fit around your schedule
- Personalised support from coaches who understand the small business world
What to Expect: The Coaching Journey
Once you sign up, here’s roughly how it works:
- Welcome call: Within about 48 hours, you’ll get a call to get started.
- Session plan: You’ll talk with a coach about what’s been hard, what you want to change, and together you’ll build a plan.
- Weekly check-ins: Regular coaching sessions each week, including strategies you can use immediately.
- Follow up and support after the core sessions to help you stay on track.
Who It’s For (And Who Isn’t)
This program is right for you if:
- you run a small business (20 people or fewer) or are a sole trader
- you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, overworked, or stuck
- you can commit to weekly sessions and do some follow-up between coaching appointments
If you’re unsure, the team encourages you to reach out and talk through whether it’s a good fit.
Why It's So Important
From our perspective at Acctivate, businesses don’t thrive when people inside them are burning out. Stress, isolation and chronic worry can erode decision-making, creativity, relationships with staff or clients, and long-term sustainability. Getting support early, building strategies to manage mental load, and maintaining balance aren’t nice extras. They are foundations of enduring business success.
NewAccess gives business owners:
- tools to manage financial worries, unexpected challenges, or difficult decision points
- better work-life balance, by helping you set boundaries or find ways to switch off
- improvements in sleep, wellbeing, stress levels, and relationships both personal and business
How to Sign Up & What It Costs
Here’s what you need to know to get started:
- It’s free
- No GP referral needed
- Call 1300 945 301 (AEST hours) or fill in their online form
- Coaches are delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland in partnership with Beyond Blue and funded by the Australian Government
Real Stories: It Does Make a Difference
Here’s what people who have walked this path say:
“I was so tired, always thinking about work. I couldn’t switch off… The program helped me enormously. I started to feel less lonely. I got my feelings of overwhelm under control.” Meg
“After each session with my NewAccess coach, my mental health improved dramatically and so has my business.” Emily
These kinds of stories remind us: what might feel like just part of business like constant stress, guilt, worry, doesn’t have to stay that way.
A Word from Acctivate
If you are a small business owner reading this, here’s our message to you:
- It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to be tough alone.
- Looking after your mental health is part of good business sense. Clearer thinking, better relationships, and more resilience come when you’re in a healthier headspace.
- Use the resources available. This isn’t just about pushing through harder. Sometimes the most powerful moves are slowing down when needed, finding strategies, and leaning on support.
At Acctivate, we care deeply about our clients, not only about their business success but also about their wellbeing. Your mental health matters, and supporting it is part of building a stronger, healthier future for you and your business.