Take outs:
- Small business owners face unique stressors such as long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues, and balancing work with personal life, which can negatively impact mental health.
- Warning signs of stress and burnout include lower work performance, negative feelings about the business, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and strained relationships with employees, clients, and others.
- Various resources are available for small business owners, including programs like Beyond Blue's NewAccess for Small Business Owners, Ahead for Business digital hub, and the Small Business Debt Helpline for financial stress.
Mental Health for Small Business Owners
Working for yourself can be rewarding but for many, being the person responsible for a business can also be highly stressful. Long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues, and the constant balancing act between work and home life can take a toll on your mental health. The pressures of managing everything yourself can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and mentally drained.
Common Challenges for Small Business Owners
Running a business comes with its own unique challenges, including:
- Working hard for long hours to start or sustain your business
- Using personal time for work tasks (such as emails, messages, invoicing, accounts or social media)
- Not having someone to share work-related worries with who understands your situation
- Managing cash flow, finances, debt and money issues
- Navigating government regulations and other administrative duties
- Feeling responsible for the people who depend on you
Signs You May Be Struggling
The unique challenges of running a business can lead to stress, which, if prolonged, may develop into burnout or worsen an existing mental health condition. Some signs to watch out for include:
- Not doing work to your usual performance standards
- Feeling negative about your business
- Difficulty concentrating or not being focused at work
- Finding it hard to manage your behaviour at work
- Feeling tired or irritable all the time
- Missing work deadlines or falling behind on money, accounts and finances
- Trouble in relationships with employees, clients, suppliers, family or friends
- Reduced punctuality or missing work
If some of these signs sound familiar, consider using a mental health assessment tool to help you understand your situation and find the resources you need for support.
Mental Health Resources for Small Business Owners
When you’re focused on running or growing your business, managing staff and dealing with challenges that emerge, you might not think to prioritise your own mental health. There are various resources available to help small business owners manage their mental health:
- NewAccess for Small Business Owners
Beyond Blue offers a free, confidential coaching program for small business owners. Over six sessions, you’ll receive personalised support to manage stress, improve mental health, and regain focus on your business.
- Ahead for Business
A digital hub offering tailored resources, community support, and mental health tracking for small business owners. It’s designed to help you stay on top of your mental wellbeing while running your business.
- Small Business Debt Helpline
If financial stress is a major concern, the Small Business Debt Helpline offers free, confidential support to help you manage your debt and financial challenges. Call 1800 413 828.
Alternative Support
If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, go to your local emergency department or call 000.
Other 24-hour support services include:
- Lifeline Australia —13 11 14
- Sane Australia — 1800 187 263
- Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800
- Mensline Australia — 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue Support Service — 1300 224 636
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers support for small business owners facing difficulties paying tax or superannuation on time. Depending on your circumstances, the ATO may be able to give you extra time to lodge or pay your tax or remit penalties or interest.
The pressures of small business ownership can be overwhelming, but support is available. By taking steps to manage your mental health, you not only improve your well-being but also enhance the overall success and longevity of your business. If you're struggling, reach out for the help you deserve—whether it's professional coaching, mental health resources, or financial support. Your mental health is just as important as your business's success.
Here at Kelly+Partners we believe the key to living a fulfilled life is a balance of physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. That’s why we’re driven to support businesses and their communities to be better off. We live our own healthy, wealthy wise values right alongside you.