Flexible hours, the chance to be your own boss, and the freedom to pursue ideas, are just a few of the upsides to running your own business. Unfortunately, there are plenty of downsides, too.
Having sole responsibility for keeping the lights on is a heavy burden to bear, particularly if you employ others who rely on you for their own livelihoods. Business owners and operators also typically work longer than average hours, juggle multiple responsibilities and have fewer avenues of support, which are all factors contributing to stress. Left unchecked this can take a toll on your mental health, potentially leading to anxiety, depression and, in extreme cases, suicide; and research indicates that men are particularly prone to ignoring the warning signs.
As one of the leading causes of sickness absence and long-term work incapacity in Australia, mental ill health can also have a big impact on business performance. And if it’s your business and it’s you that’s suffering, the situation can quickly spiral out of control, especially if you’re unable to work and lose your source of income.
The good news is the majority of mental illness seen in the workplace is treatable and in some cases may be preventable: it’s knowing when and where to seek support that makes all the difference.
Who’s most at risk?
According to beyondblue, one in five Australians will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime, and research points to a higher rate of incidence in SMBs. A recent study from Everymind, for instance, found that symptoms of anxiety and depression were more prevalent among small business owners and workers when compared to the national average.
There’s also strong evidence that male small business owners are particularly at risk. Largely due to societal pressure to ‘man up’ and the stigma still associated with mental health conditions, statistics consistently show that men are less likely to seek help when they need it, including visiting a doctor, accessing mental health services or discussing mental health issues. This culture of concealment may explain why the rate of substance abuse among Australian men is double that of women, and why men are three times more likely to take their own life.
Various studies have found that men working in male-dominated industries may be especially vulnerable. Specifically, results show higher levels of depression among those in farming, construction and mining compared to the general population. And in terms of white-collar occupations, lawyers have been found to be most at risk of depressive symptoms and the most likely to use alcohol or other drugs to try and reduce or manage their condition.
Addressing the problem
In response to what’s often dubbed the ‘silent epidemic’ in men’s health, a number of organisations and services have sprung up to raise awareness of these mental health issues and encourage more men to open up, including resources and programs specifically targeting small business operators and the unique stressors they face.
Suicide prevention charity R U OK?, for instance, aims to encourage people to connect with mates and loved ones who may be suffering and was born from founder Gavin Larkin’s own experience after his father’s suicide. Mental health and suicide prevention is also a key focus area for men’s health charity Movember, which from humble beginnings in 2003 now funds programs all over the world.
Independent, not-for-profit beyondblue, meanwhile, works to increase awareness and understanding of depression and anxiety in Australia and offers a wealth of resources for men and SMBs, including Business in Mind. In conjunction with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, beyondblue is also behind the Heads Up initiative, featuring a dedicated section for SMBs and personal stories from business owners about their mental health experiences.
How to spot the ‘red flags’
Of course we all have our ups and downs and stress is a normal part of life, especially when running your own business, so how do you know when it’s time to reach out for support?
According to Heads Up there are a number of common warning signs and one of the first steps in managing your mental health is learning to recognise them. Some of these red flags are:
- finding it hard to concentrate
- a change in sleep patterns
- getting easily upset or frustrated
- drinking alcohol to cope
- avoiding social situations
- struggling with decision making
- feeling tired and fatigued
- being unusually emotional
- thinking about work constantly
- feeling restless and nervous
If you’re still unsure where you’re at with your mental health the Heads Up Anxiety and depression checklist can help you to assess your symptoms over the past four weeks and, if necessary, advise you of next steps.
For anyone who is struggling, the earlier they get help the better. Evidence shows that when identified and treated early, mental health disorders are less severe and of shorter duration, and some are less likely to recur. And as a small business owner, it’s worth remembering that ignoring problems is not only detrimental to your health but also to the long-term viability of the business you’ve worked hard to set up.
Depending on the specific symptoms and severity of an individual’s mental health concerns, there are various sources of support. At the first sign of trouble a chat with a trusted friend and/or a visit to your local doctor are both good options. Alternatively, you may consider a referral to a counselor or psychologist, or try one of the many mental health organisations for advice. If you’re feeling hopeless and in need of immediate help, however, don’t delay and contact one of the crisis support services below. When it comes to your mental wellbeing, there’s no time like the present.
Support services
Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14
MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support service for men with family and relationship concerns, including mental health related problems. Call 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 telephone, video and online professional support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467
Beyondblue provides mental health information and support and is particularly focused on anxiety, depression and suicide prevention. Call 1300 22 4636
SANE Australia is a national charity helping Australians affected by mental illness. Sane’s resources include online peer support and a specialist helpline. Call 1800 187 263 (weekdays 10am-10pm AEST)
The MindSpot Clinic is a free online and telephone service for people with symptoms of stress, anxiety, worry, and low mood. They provide free online screening assessments and free treatment courses, or can refer you to local services for help. Call 1800 61 44 34 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat AEST)
Head to Health provides access to around 380 online mental health services funded by the Australian Government, and aims to put people in touch with the resources that most suit their needs and preferences, including websites, apps, online forums and helplines.
The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating mental illness, with a focus on translating the knowledge gained from research into better health outcomes and reducing stigma through workplace, school and community education programs.
Movember aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by addressing some of the biggest issues in men’s health: prostrate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. To get involved, visit the website.
R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity, reminding people that staying connected could save lives, and helping them start meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones who may be struggling.
Livin aims to break the stigma of mental health by connecting, supporting and encouraging young people to talk about their feelings and the challenges they face.
HeadsUpGuys is a resource for supporting men in their fight against depression by providing tips, tools, information about professional services, and stories of success. Based at The University of British Columbia, HeadsUpGuys was initially developed with funding from the Movember Foundation.
Business in Mind is a free online resource provided by beyondblue, offering owners of small to medium businesses information and advice on how to manage mental health issues in the workplace.
Heads Up is an initiative of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance and beyondblue and aims to give individuals and businesses the tools to create more mentally healthy workplaces. The website provides a range of resources, information and advice offering simple, practical and achievable guidance, including a section dedicated to small business owners.
*Disclaimer: Optus has no affiliation with the support services listed in this article and opinions contained in this article are that of the author and not Optus.
This article was first published on the Optus Yes Business hub in July, 2018.
