Counting on U
In Brief
- In 2020, nearly 1 in 3 SME owners were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, stress or related mental health issues
- Accountants trained in mental health first aid can provide intermediary business and mental health support
- Register now to become an accredited mental health first aider to support your clients and community
Chartered Accountants ANZ have partnered with Deakin Business School to offer a unique program – Counting on U. This will support eligible members to confidently identify and support the mental health outcomes of small to medium enterprise (SME) clients as well as colleagues or customers.
During COVID, and no doubt before, accountants providing advice to clients experienced many SME owners in distress with financial and mental health issues. Counting on U recognises the impacts of the pandemic will continue to be an on-going challenge. As Trusted Advisors, accounting professionals can play a key intermediary role in identifying signs of distress in this at-risk population and support people to reach the mental health resources they need.
This training is not intended to enable members to diagnose or treat mental illness. Rather, it is equips participants with high level communication skills to have sensitive conversations.
This initiative is funded by the Australian Treasury, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC), and other Deakin partner organisations so it can be offered as complimentary CPD to eligible members.
Training that makes a difference
Rachel Mendlik CA, participated in the Counting on U program. Discover how it can help expand empathy and awareness in client relationships and a new understanding of the importance of self-care. Watch the video now.
Naomi Norman CA can relate to her rural clients because she grew up on a property herself. CA ANZ’s Counting on U equips CAs like Naomi to know how to offer mental health support when times are tough.
Benefits of ‘Counting on U’
Counting on U aims to equip participants to:
- Become an accredited Mental Health First Aider
- Receive complimentary 15 CPD hours, valued at $337 + GST
- Deal with heightened financial distress in SME owners
- Enhance your skills in identifying and understanding SME business needs and stressors when delivering business advice
- Confidently administer first aid to someone experiencing a mental health crisis, whilst also supporting early identification and management of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, stress and suicide
- Gain insights into how to look after your own health and wellbeing while also supporting the mental health of others
- Support long-term knowledge and application of mental health literacy skills
- The chance to establish a peer network who can provide you with mentoring and support on shared issues relating to your own or SME clients’ wellbeing.
What the training involves
- 5 hours of pre-reading that must be completed prior to the mental health first aid training
- 1 x 2 hour Relationship Building Training (note that not all participants in the Deakin research study will take this class)
- 2 x 2.5 hour Mental Health First Aid training sessions
- 2 x 1hour Booster sessions
Counting on U is a program delivered over zoom in live interactive, classes. We advise that you take the classes in a private environment where you feel comfortable to fully participate with your camera and microphone while navigating sensitive course material.
Find out more from CA ANZ by visiting the following webpage: https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/countingonu
