5 practical strategies founders can use to improve their mental health

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

For decades, discussing mental health issues carried a stigma that made it impossible to have a meaningful discourse on the subject. In recent years, attitudes have changed, thanks to the increased availability of scientific knowledge and movements for equality and authenticity.

One of the sad truths of entrepreneurship is that founders, especially younger ones, suffer from mental health issues at a much higher rate than the general population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 72% of founders report mental health issues. By comparison, the figures for the average person are around 48%.

The good news is that we can finally talk more openly about these struggles and find solutions. In my experience, the five strategies below are a great starting point for founders to positively impact their mental health.

1. Start by taking care of your team

They say you can't pour from an empty cup, and it's true. However, taking a "bottom-up" approach to improving mental health in the workplace can actually give founders a massive boost.

This idea may seem counter-intuitive, but the truth is that a healthy team directly corresponds to a healthy leader. Founders spend the majority of their time immersed in their corporate culture. Investing time and resources in promoting a connected and healthy workplace for your team translates to happier employees, more efficient management, and significantly reduced stress for the CEO.

notes that the annual return on investment from implementing wellness programs can be as high as 162%, which can also reduce founder stress.

Related: 5 Easy Ways to Do More for Your Employees' Mental Health This Week

2. Limit your social media exposure

This sentiment is true for all walks of life, but it's especially valuable for entrepreneurs. According to Proof Factor, at least 31% of founders secretly fear bankruptcy. However, if you look on social media, you'll never know.

It's common for founders (and people in general) to only show 'successful moments', which means they take care of their company's image to highlight the positives and downplay stress or challenges. Even though we know this to be true, it's hard to see past the bias it creates. Young founders are particularly sensitive to this, as they often feel alone in their difficulties and do not know how or where to seek help.

Some studies show that limiting time spent on social media to around 30 minutes a day decreases feelings of pessimism and pessimism in the general population. The same goes for founders.

3. Make sure your partners and VCs are a good fit

It can be difficult to say "no" to potential investors or seemingly qualified business partners. However, letting the wrong partners into the business can significantly drain a founder's sanity.

Before entering into a partnership, be sure to do a thorough reference check. There are plenty of horror stories about demanding partners calling CEOs at all hours, disrupting board meetings, and pressuring founders for constant updates.

Not only does a bad partnership cause tension in the workplace, it can also be a constant source of anxiety for founders. says that understanding what a healthy partnership looks like from the start can help limit the chances of finding out you have a bad business partner. He notes that