Founders, let's talk about the struggles of startup life.

Entrepreneurs are often celebrated for their innovation and resilience, but beneath the surface, many grapple with significant mental health challenges.

Research shows that entrepreneurs face higher rates of depression, anxiety, ADHD and suicide compared to the general population. These mental health issues not only affect entrepreneurs personally but also have profound implications on their business decisions and outcomes.

Entrepreneurship walks a fine line between high reward and high stress, crafting a paradox where the very elements that drive success can also foster significant challenges to our mental well-being. As we step into Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13-19), we wanted to open the conversation to shift the focus from resilience to support.

Despite understanding the importance of mental well-being in entrepreneurship, the pathway to safeguarding it remains riddled with more questions than answers.?

The Data

One in four adults experience mental illness, according to data published by NHS (England) .

A 2023 study from Simply Business revealed that 56 per cent of small business owners in the UK have experienced poor mental health over a 12 month period and 45% didn’t seek support for their declining mental health. ?

Why is this? There are, of course, many factors to consider here. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride, marked by extreme highs and lows. Financial risk is a significant factor, meaning that founders often work far longer than the average UK working week to make ends meet. In addition to this heightened financial responsibility, not only personal for their own livelihood but also for their employees, founders often find themselves liable if things don’t go as planned. There is no “walking away” for a founder, you are in the hotseat, in control of your own destiny, which is part of the allure and thrill when things go well, but can also quickly ramp up the pressure when challenges arise or situations deteriorate.

Interestingly, and probably unsurprisingly entrepreneurs have a lower sickness absence rate than employees in general (1.4% for self-employed, 2.1% for employees). Highlighting the hard yards that get put in, and more likely than not through periods when time off would be exactly what's required, but business owners feel less able to take sick leave, including that which is needed for mental health reasons.

To add to this, loneliness is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face, and although interestingly our research found that many entrepreneurs reveal they thrive on loneliness, the “lonely at the top” and “lone-wolf” narratives and rhetoric can be a constant challenge, potentially stigmatising discussions about mental health and attempts to address loneliness for those who experience it as stressful.

Simply Business discovered that only 10% of small business owners feel the government is providing sufficient support, revealing a substantial resource gap.

“Founders often have a deep seated purpose and mission to deliver their vision at any cost. Whilst that seems a great quality, it often isn’t sustainable. I found that out the hard way. Balancing work with communicating with other founders/ mentors and making sure you get time to be outside, in nature, creates a much better balance. It will add more value to your venture as you are looking at the world through different lenses. Rather than being blinkered, you can balance people, planet and profit. That’s far more sustainable and a healthier way to be”.

Nick Hounsfield - Founder, The Wave and One Blue World .

Putting on a brave face is often easier said than done. Your employees depend on you for vision, leadership, motivation, and direction, as well as for establishing a positive culture and dynamic within the company.

Founders are essential to the business community, the future, and our inspiration for purpose-driven solutions. With this perspective, we aim to shift the dialogue concerning the mental health of founders toward a new path. Our objective? To cultivate a community centred on sharing and introspection.

Let's make this space a reservoir of experiences. Share your journey as a founder in the comments below. If you feel comfortable, discuss the hurdles you've encountered and how you've navigated them. Your stories could become lessons for other founders, encouraging a more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Harnessing Nature’s Power for Mental Well-Being

At Blue Earth , we're not just inspired by nature, we're driven by the profound impact it has on our well-being and creativity. Here are some key findings we find fascinating:?

• Mental Health Resilience: Nature exposure has been linked to reduced depression and anxiety, making it a critical component in fostering resilient communities and workplaces.?

• Therapeutic Benefits: Nature-based therapies have shown remarkable success in enhancing mental well-being and deepening our connection to the environment.?

• Systematic Support: Access to nature not only supports physical health but also promotes mental health, serving as a foundational element in preventive healthcare.?

In our fast-paced, digital world, it's easy to overlook the transformative power of simply being outdoors. Nature isn't just a backdrop for our lives, it's a vital source of rejuvenation and inspiration. So, we encourage you to break away from your screens and experience the outdoors firsthand.

Let's make a commitment to ourselves to spend more time in nature. Not only does it enhance our mental and physical well-being, but it also deepens our appreciation for the environment we strive to protect.

We don't just talk about the importance of connecting with nature, we live it. We’re proud to be the only Summit that dedicates an entire day to experiencing the outdoors firsthand. Day 3 is an escape into nature, designed to reconnect the Blue Earth community with nature.

Learn more about Blue Earth Summit.