Dr. Ryan Shelton Reviews How To Overcome The Mental Health Crisis In Entrepreneurship
Not acknowledging that a problem exists only makes it worse. This is precisely what is happening when conversations around entrepreneurship and mental health are raised.
In the last few years, the advent of technologies and digital frameworks has given rise to several new businesses that have been started by enterprising entrepreneurs. Some stats suggest there are more than 600 million entrepreneurs in the world today!
With limited resources, the need for cutting-edge innovation and the desire to achieve success in as little as a year’s time is pushing entrepreneurs over the brink. The model of the fast-paced business world creates emergency-like situations in normal day-to-day functioning as well.
In this article, we will review the findings of Dr Ryan Shelton, a leading medical expert that has frequently brought this topic up. He discusses some insights about the mental health crisis in entrepreneurship.
Table of Contents
5 Major Factors that Contribute to Poor Mental Health for Entrepreneurs
Five factors that Dr. Ryan Shelton considers aiding mental health problems in entrepreneurs are below.
Poor Social Connections and an Increase in Isolation
Even though a lot has been written about how entrepreneurs are a tight-knit community, the fact of the matter is that they are not. Highly competitive individuals tend to become socially isolated as the needs and requirements of their businesses change. This isolation and a lack of someone to talk to promote poor mental health in entrepreneurs.
The Uncertainty of Start-ups and Modern Businesses
The foundations and models of businesses have evolved over the years. You cannot wait around for years and hope that your business suddenly becomes successful. It is all about raising capital, investments, and pushing for aggressive marketing and advertising strategies. The demands to make anything go ‘Viral’ lead to greater uncertainty levels. This creates anxiety and stress.
Lack of Stress Management Techniques
There is no doubt that entrepreneurs suffer from great levels of stress. What is even more alarming and dangerous than this is the fact that most do not have techniques for managing stress. For example, zero physical activities, unhealthy eating habits, dependence on smoking and alcohol can all contribute to heightened levels of stress, tensions, and anxiety in entrepreneurs.
Biases and Myths Surrounding Mental Health Issues
It takes a lot for an entrepreneur to open about his or her mental health issues. This is because any acknowledgment of this is perceived as weakness. Unfortunately, in many ways, the personal identity of the entrepreneur is aligned with the business. This means that if the entrepreneur is viewed as one that needs “therapy”, the business also viewed as weak.
The Presence of Barriers of Seeking Help for Mental Health Issues
Who do you talk to, which therapist do you go to, how do you take out time from your busy entrepreneurial schedule? These are all barriers that prevent entrepreneurs from getting in touch with experts and working out their mental health concerns. There are so many barriers that entrepreneurs tend to highlight and say that it is just not worth it. These barriers add to stress levels.
Mental Health, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Challenges
According to Dr. Ryan Shelton, the pressure to be successful is so intense that important issues, like mental health, are neglected. According to him, poor mental health can affect an entrepreneur, not only in terms of his or her business, but in other areas as well.
Firstly, poor mental health can cause problems in personal relationships. An entrepreneur with heightened stress levels might take out their angst on with their partner, children, family members, and friends.
Secondly, over a period, mental health starts taking a toll on physical health. Lifestyle diseases, like type 2 diabetes, can be a direct result of poor eating, stress, tensions, and anxiety levels.
Thirdly, mental health can zap the self-confidence of an entrepreneur. If they keep feeling that they are not good enough to keep us and this creates a disastrous impact on the business and work performance.
The Bottom Line
Entrepreneurs should not be judged for seeking help, given the pressure-intense surroundings they operate in. With teletherapy, some barriers to getting mental health help have been reduced. Conversations around mental health need to be encouraged.