Mental health business owner says entrepreneurs must pay more attention to own wellbeing
The owner of a mental health business has said that entrepreneurs and business owners must pay more attention to their own wellbeing.
Mel Joseph, founder and director of Mente, said that while building a successful business can bring passion, joy and success for some individuals, it also gives a high level of responsibility that can weigh heavily on mental health.
Research by the mental health charity, Mind, found that poor mental health affects half of all employees. But while statistics are widely shared about the number of employees that are likely to struggle, business owners rarely get the same attention and support for their own mental wellbeing, despite high numbers of them struggling with mental health problems.
There are a huge number of different challenges that running your own business can bring, from feeling isolated, dealing with financial worries, to simply having too many tasks to do. As a business owner, there’s rarely a separation between work and home, and many find themselves constantly think about their business and the things that they could be doing.
Mel said that the early days of business can be some of the most stressful, commenting that “In the start-up stages, entrepreneurs work with limited finances, and to ensure they stay in the game they develop the always-on mindset. For many, running a business means intense work schedules, sleepless nights, and feelings of helplessness.”
She continued, “In the early stages of Mente, I was certainly setting myself up for burnout. Then, I started to take stock of the situation, and realised that working so hard was not doing me or my work any favours. I scheduled set times and days for family and grandson, because he was the only one who would allow me to fully switch off ".
Mel advised that entrepreneurs must remember that they are not their business, and must make time for themselves. She said, “Remember that strong mental health is critical in order to survive the ups and downs of running a business and getting through the sometimes uncomfortable journey. There is no shame in getting further help if you need it”.
Mente helps businesses to manage mental health. To find out more about what they do, visit www.mente.co.uk.