Insurance & Care NSW (icare) and national mental health group Everymind will trial an innovative digital strategy to help improve wellbeing among small businesses in Parramatta, Lake Macquarie and Singleton.

The trial, to run from April, follows studies that show small business workers are more likely to be affected by poor mental health than those in the general population.

Small businesses represent 98% of all trading companies in NSW and icare says it recognises a pressing need to address the lack of tailored assistance for owners and their staff.

Such businesses face a number of unique risk factors, including financial pressures, high work demands, long hours and a lack of focus on self-care and work-life boundaries.