Discourse surrounding mental health in the workplace has skyrocketed over the last decade. World Mental Health Day gives us all the opportunity to raise awareness and start open discussions that we may otherwise keep to ourselves. For this reason, this World Mental Health Day we want to focus on the lesser discussed aspect of entrepreneurial life, taking care of your mental wellbeing.
In March 2020 everyday life was turned on its head as we were plunged into a lockdown and full pandemic status. Causing thousands of businesses to deal with mandate to stay at home, whilst attempting to continue operating. For our founder Toby Harper, it was undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges he’d ever faced.
Like many founders, Toby says the past year and half has had caused him to become more aware of his mental health. ‘It’s been really tough. I’ve always seen myself as a very resilient person, but there have been one or two moments that stand out as particularly hard. In my case I tend to keep a lot of my worries and stresses to myself and try to ensure I don’t pass any of it on to my family. But the pandemic has made it harder to separate family life from work life. And running a business, particularly as a sole founder, can be a very lonely place.
He sees community – whether of colleagues or peers – as a lifeline for entrepreneurs under strain: ‘That’s why I think it is important to have people around you who you can share any concerns you might have with. When you do, you often see you are not the only one going through it.’
Many founders take great care in protecting their colleagues’ mental health, without leaving time to consider their own. Having open conversations about the stresses of founder ambition and internal pressure is vital to a healthy mind.
So, this World Mental Health Day remember the importance of caring for your own mental wellbeing while climbing towards your incredible goals.