Startuppers mental health and why is it important!
It’s a dreadful journey to take on, but you are not alone!
This post right here will be somewhat of a downer, however, I see the subject super under-served in the whole startup world.
Mental health and mental illnesses are one of the biggest factors we have to tackle as founders. I want to let all of you know that what you’re feeling is fine and if some of the bad thoughts that prevail on a deeper level — please seek professional help.
My point isn’t that you shouldn’t build the next unicorn, as the headline image points out that difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations, however, be mindful about it and make sure that it doesn’t consume you.
According to a study by Michael Freeman, entrepreneurs are 50 percent more to have any form of mental health issues,
Founders are:
- 2 times more likely to suffer from depression
- 6 times more likely to suffer from ADHD
- 3 times more likely to suffer from substance abuse
- 10 times more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder
- 2 times more likely to have psychiatric hospitalization
- 2 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts
These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, surely, some of us are stronger mentally than others. Not everyone is bound to have suicidal thoughts. I’m talking from a very personal experience when addressing mental health issues, as I have been touched by some of the bullet points listed above.
Take notes about your mental well being
These numbers are just astounding, in the worst possible way. What we can take away from these numbers is the fact that building a successful company puts all the founders under huge amounts of stress and surely not everyone is built for it.
Before starting your venture, take a few steps back and check where you are in the given time — take some self-assessments to determine your mental well-being.
I have found two of the assessments very helpful. Just going over them now and then (let's say every month or two), it gives you the possibility to keep an eye on your mental side of things. Keep score of the results and try to change things once things start seeming bleak.
Substance abuse
The easiest way to forget about your problems for most of us is to get hammered or stoned or a combination of both. Needless to say that this is just a patch over a hole that is way bigger than the patch itself. One of my good friends once told “Drinking is like taking a high-interest loan from the next day”. This can’t be true enough, and it applies to other substance abuses likewise as you feel drained the next day and your productivity vanishes alongside your anxiety levels that are skyrocketing.
As I have been pro-actively visiting mental health doctors I have found myself thinking about many issues that go alongside startups and entrepreneurship. This has made me realize many things that I have improved so that my well-being, both physically and mentally, is taken into consideration. As I am starting up my own startup with four other co-founders I am keen to take time and talk with my peers every now and then, to find out if they are burning out or facing any issues of their own. As it has been said, a problem defined is, is a problem half solved.
The outcome of not dealing with your mental health
We have had some substantial companies in the world and one of the most well-known startups was obviously Vine that was an American social networking short-form video hosting service where users could share six or seven second-long, looping videos. The company was a success as it exited even launching officially. Twitter acquired it in October 2012, well before its official release on January 24, 2013. However, there is a sad story going along with the company itself or actually its co-founder Colin Kroll, who is one of the many people that have taken the path to end their lives abruptly. After launching two successful startups (Vine and HQ Trivia) he died of an overdose in his apartment being only 34 years old. Any substance abuse can lead to grim outcomes, try to be mindful about it.
Suggestions
When you are feeling any of the feelings I have talked about, do know that this isn’t the end and you, this is merely the difficult road leading to a very beautiful place!
So if your startup didn’t start up, you have still plenty to do about it, you can start another and another — remember, life is the most important asset that you have. And like Samuel Beckett once said “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” It isn’t always about succeeding on the first try, it’s the road that takes us to our next failure or success that is worth it.
Also, if you still need to talk about it, or if you’re feeling that there is no hope whatsoever — please reach out to your local professionals who can help you.
And please, just please, get over the taboo of talking about your feelings! You’re a human being and should be heard! Showing your emotions, talking about your good/bad feelings, and having a fulfilled life should be all in the process of having a great life and a great company. Be open and be present.