In today’s fast-paced business world, mental health often takes a backseat to other priorities. However, at Broxbourne Enterprise Centres we know how crucial keeping Mental Health & Wellbeing at the forefront of our thoughts is for both personal and professional success.
Our innovation director Julie Creffield recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider, ands knows all to well that business support isn’t just about strategy, sales and choosing the right SASS products, but that it can also be about having a safe space to share what’s REALLY going on.
She says,
“Having run my own ventures for many years before taking up this new role I know how lonely it can be, and how our mental health can be intrinsically attached to the performance of our business…impacting it at all levels”
The Mental Health Landscape for Founders and CEOs
Founders and CEOs face unique pressures that can significantly impact their mental health. According to recent statistics, a staggering 87.7% of entrepreneurs struggle with at least one mental health issue. Anxiety affects 50.2% of entrepreneurs, while 34.4% experience burnout. Additionally, 26.9% report having a poor work-life balance. These numbers highlight the urgent need for mental health support in the entrepreneurial community.
The Impact of Mental Health on Business
Mental health issues don’t just affect individuals; they can also have a profound impact on business performance. Poor mental health can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and a negative workplace environment. Globally, depression and anxiety result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year. For founders and CEOs, addressing mental health is not just a personal matter but a business imperative.
What we do at BEC to create a supportive work environment
Across our two sites at Hoddesdon and Cheshunt we have a commitment to good customer service and maintaining positive professional relationships with our customers, we are NOT a “Let and Forget” space, we want people to feel emotionally safe in our buildings.
We do this by
- Creating a sense of Community: Helping people in our centres to feel like they belong, and that they are part of a wide ecosystem creates opportunity for relationships to thrive….our bi weekly community club was set up specifically for this purpose
- Encouraging Open Conversations: Creating a culture where employees and customers feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of stigma.
- Providing Access to Resources: Our monthly newsletter regularly signposts to local and national organisations, training and resources
- Promote Work-Life Balance: We model and encourage work-life balance, such as flexible working hours and regular breaks, to prevent burnout, and are always on the look out for opportunities to improve our provision of wellbeing, creative and social activities
- Maintain a beautiful environment: Our venues are beautifully designed and maintained, and we are on top of any operational issues that arise.
Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is essential for the well-being of both individuals and businesses.
As we observe World Mental Health Day 2024 on October 10th, let’s commit to creating supportive work environments where mental health is a priority.
Together, we can make a difference.
References
- World Health Organization: World Mental Health Day 2024
- Founder Reports: Entrepreneur Mental Health Statistics
Get in touch if you would like to take a tour of one of our sites, or attend one of our Community Club events which are open to our customers and our wider ecosystem of stakeholders, local business owners, freelancers and the local community