How YOU Can Make a Difference: Referring an Entrepreneur to Mental Health Support.
“If you ask a founder how her startup is going, the answer is almost always some version of “Great!”There is a huge amount of pressure as a founder to never show weakness and to be the cheerleader in all internal and external situations. The world can be falling down around you — and most of the time when you’re running a company, it is — and you have to be the strong, confident, and optimistic. Failing is terrifying, and so is looking stupid. - Sam Altman, Y-Combinator
Each day we engage in conversations with entrepreneurs, building a connection with the individual and their business. Through these interactions, we witness the immense pressure entrepreneurs face in their journey.
As investors, coaches, and team members in startup and scaleup programs, our primary goal is to foster the growth of their businesses. However, we recognize that the mental well-being of these individuals is just as crucial to their success.
Despite the critical role mental health plays in an entrepreneur’s ability to thrive, access to necessary support remains scarce. Entrepreneurs often hesitate to seek help, fearing it might be perceived as a weakness or a sign that they’re not fit for the entrepreneurial path. This reluctance creates a barrier to well-being that we, as their supporters, need to address.
Embed Mental Health Support
Our care for these individuals goes beyond business coaching, yet when conversations veer into the realm of mental health, we may feel ill-equipped to provide the necessary support. Entrepreneurs have shared with us that asking for mental health support from those invested in their success is challenging. This underscores the need for us to prioritize and openly discuss mental health as a key component of entrepreneurial success.
As investors and staff dedicated to supporting founders, we are in a unique position to guide entrepreneurs toward the help they need. By embedding mental health support into our interactions, we can ensure that those who may be struggling know they are not alone.
You may not always know who among the founders is struggling with mental health challenges. Therefore, it’s essential to proactively share resources and foster open conversations about mental well-being. Here’s how:
During Onboarding: Ensure that everyone is aware of the available mental health resources and support systems from the start.
Routine Communication: Regularly share information about mental health events and resources with both coaches and entrepreneurs.
Visual Reminders: Incorporate reminders of available resources in email signatures, shared spaces, or as footnotes in documents.
Make Mental Health a Business Priority
One of the biggest obstacles founders face when seeking mental health support is the fear of damaging their reputation. Many worry that admitting to stress or mental health issues will be viewed as a weakness. This is where your influence is vital. By linking mental health to business success, you can help entrepreneurs understand that their well-being is not just important but integral to their entrepreneurial journey.
Ways to Emphasize Mental Health:
Normalize the Conversation: Discuss mental health just as you would physical health—it’s something everyone has.
Incorporate Wellness Tools: Integrate wellness practices into your regular check-ins and programming.
Make Mental Health a Core Pillar: Treat mental health support as a fundamental part of a healthy work routine. Consider reducing the barriers to accessing specialized mental health support through a Collectively Tangled Membership.
Make Support Accessible
Talking about mental health is a start, but it’s crucial to also provide clear pathways to accessing support. When leadership prioritizes by talking about it and investing in it mental health, it signals to entrepreneurs that their well-being is essential, not an afterthought.
Ways to Lead by Example:
Promote and Participate: Regularly attend and promote mental health workshops, so you can confidently refer resources.
Integrate into Programs: Allocate time and budget in your programs for entrepreneurs to engage with mental health resources. If you have a Collectively Tangled Membership, ensure that the Partners Code is accessible, so entrepreneurs can seek support as they need it.
Acknowledge Your Impact: Recognize the significant role you play in shaping a culture that values mental well-being.
Refer People When It’s Outside Your Scope
As someone supporting entrepreneurs, you’re not expected to be a mental health professional. Just as you would refer a founder to an accountant for complex financial issues, it’s important to direct them to the right mental health professionals when needed.
By normalizing the topic, investing in resources, sharing resources, making referrals, participating actively, and emphasizing the importance of mental health, you help create a culture where well-being is recognized as a cornerstone of entrepreneurial success.