Shalini Khemka CBE, founder and CEO of E2E, a leading business networking and mentoring organisation in the UK, emphasises the critical need for entrepreneurs to prioritise mental health amidst the pressures of building and running their businesses.
“Entrepreneurs often have an innate drive to work long hours and invest heavily in their ventures,” Khemka explained. “While this determination is admirable, it can also lead to significant stress and mental health challenges like burnout if not managed properly.”
The competitive nature in entrepreneurial circles can exacerbate these challenges. “There’s a prevailing culture that glorifies extreme schedules – hitting the gym at 6am followed by a breakfast meeting at 8am whilst managing family commitments” Khemka noted. “This constant drive to outperform and maintain an ‘always-on’ mentality can erode boundaries and contribute to burnout.”
Indeed, entrepreneurs are more susceptible to mental health issues due to the unique demands of their roles. “The weight of responsibility, financial pressures, and the relentless pursuit of success can take a heavy toll,” Khemka added. “It’s crucial for entrepreneurs to recognise these risks and take proactive steps to safeguard their mental wellbeing.” To address these challenges, Shalini has outlined a few practical strategies for entrepreneurs and their teams:
Prevention over cure
Implementing comprehensive mental health support systems, including Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) and robust HR policies, can contribute towards creating a culture of openness and support. By implementing these support systems, mental health problems can be dealt with sooner, before they evolve into something more serious, or even avoided altogether.
Work/life balance
Setting clear boundaries and modelling healthy habits like adequate sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and utilising talking therapies can promote resilience and wellbeing. Whilst it’s no secret that entrepreneurs have hectic schedules, putting some time aside for self-care activities and actively prioritising this healthy balance can work wonders in preserving better mental health.
A problem shared is a problem halved
Despite positive advancements around the topic of mental health, there’s still a common misconception that talking about your feelings is a sign of weakness – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Talking about your feelings with trusted individuals can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled, so ensure you surround yourself with a network of positive, supportive and motivational individuals.
“Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a timely reminder for entrepreneurs to prioritise self-care and create environments where mental health is a top priority,” Shalini emphasised. “By investing in wellbeing and creating a supportive workplace culture, entrepreneurs can sustainably build their businesses while safeguarding their most valuable asset their own mental health.”
For more information on E2E and its initiatives to support entrepreneurs, visit www.e2exchange.com
