In today’s climate, there’s a great focus on mental health and the need to preserve it. A sub-focus to this topic is mental health pressures impacting small business owners.

On an average day, it can be challenging to be a small business owner. From money pressures, to juggling multiple roles, to even supporting others through employment, stress is one of the key side effects of remaining in the entrepreneurial world.

However, through tougher times, such as COVID-19, the mental health of small business owners is a significant concern, especially down to the detriment experienced through a change of landscape. Many have in fact shared their mental health struggles down to the damages caused by lockdowns, by decreased interest in certain industries, and by financial concerns.

Understandably, there are steps we can all take to improve our mental health. Yet, through greater struggles, beyond common reality, it can be difficult to secure next steps, focusing on mental health preservation.

If you’re a small business owner, at Ocean Recovery, we are here for you. See our mental health guide for small business owners, providing proactive steps to support you through the rough and the smooth of running a business.

 

Mental health awareness for small business owners

As we’ve highlighted above, mental health is now a high concern across the board. We’re seeing depression and anxiety diagnoses increasing, and delving deeper, we’re seeing younger generations, now more than ever, struggling through mental health issues.

Within this concern, we’re however seeing a trend within the small business world. While there are significant benefits available for small business owners, there are also significant disadvantages with pressure and stress ranking at the top.

Down to this, it’s very important that mental health awareness for small business owners is increased. Many individuals, outside of the business sphere will fail to understand the associated pressures, which needs to be changed to provide greater respect and support for the industry.

Especially now more than ever, it is important that we support smaller businesses and their owners, not only to uplift their livelihood, but also their health and happiness.

 

Disadvantages of being a small business owner

Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to being a small business owner. Understandably, this is the same for any vocation. However, through the global pandemic, causing significant adaptations for businesses, small business owners are having a tough time.

Financial concerns
Financial concerns are one of the biggest contributing factors to mental health issues within the current climate. Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat as financial support is either unavailable or is minute in comparison to outgoings. Money is a common stressor. However, for small business owners, this is a constant worry, ensuring that breaking even is a possibility.

Adaptations
Adaptability is a must as a small business owner. This can cause significant pressures for some, as they may not have the resources or funds to be able to change their business offering.

Pressures of demand
Demand will ultimately dictate success for small business owners. In a world where usual demand has adapted, this can be very difficult to work through; whether that’s uncontrollable demand or non-existent interest.

Stress over business preservation
Stress is a significant factor which drives the side effects of mental health issues. Stress is very common through business preservation. Whether that’s through our usual world or our new norm, it can be difficult to remain balanced.

Above are common disadvantages which heighten mental health issues for small business owners. There will however be many more triggers, as mental health issues are personal and can be aggravated by any given stimulus. With this in mind, as entrepreneurs, it’s very important to look out for warning signs and learn how to cope through these common stresses. Here’s some help through our mental health guide for small business owners.

 

Our mental health guide for small business owners

There are some small steps, which can be implemented independently which can help to preserve mental health, especially when current resources are either paused or reduced.

Below are some steps you can take as a small business owner to improve your mental health, and to manage and support mental health at work for employees.

 

A mental health guide for small business owners:

Aim for work-life balance
Work-life balance can help to reduce stress and ensure that health is prioritised. For example, stepping away from work, no matter how difficult that may be, is recommended, ensuring that you have social time, enough rest, opportunities to exercise, and the ability to work on your mental health state.

Speak out
Many small business owners tend to brush over their mental health issues. This can be down to a lack of time, to embarrassment. However, it is very important that you do speak out, whether that’s to loved ones or professionals.

Make self-care a priority
Your wellbeing as a small business owner is very important. The same goes for your employees. Without self-care, you will struggle to run a positive and meaningful business.

Increase mental health awareness
Increasing mental health awareness in your workplace is recommended. You can boost your knowledge by visiting The Health and Safety Executive website, providing useful resources on mental health in the workplace.

Educate your workplace
Once you’ve increased awareness of mental health in the workplace, it’s important to educate your employees on this. Spotting the signs of mental health issues can not only help you but also your associates.

Have a mental health policy in place
Understanding how to deal with mental health as a small business owner can be very difficult. After all, you’ll usually be juggling your books to your services. However, it is important to have a mental health policy in place to offer the next best steps if an employee is struggling.

Understandably, there are even further factors to consider beyond our mental health guide for small business owners. With this in mind, if you’re a small business owner, and you’re struggling, we urge you to reach out for support. This is also the case if an employee is struggling, or if you hope to form a mental health policy. At Ocean Recovery, we specialise in mental health recovery. We can assist you through your battle with mental health issues.

It’s very important, now more than ever that we all understand the detriment of mental health issues. It’s also vital that support is available for all, including small business owners. Through the current pandemic and beyond, we must shine a light on mental health issues and the pressures of owning a small business.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: November 6, 2020

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.