There is a mental health crisis in entrepreneurship. Here’s how to tackle it

The mental health crisis in start-ups

According to Dr Paul Hokemeyer, an expert in elite identity constructs: “Given the extraordinary impact entrepreneurs have on our world economy, it’s critically important they operate in a state of optimum emotional and relational health. Unfortunately, in our current zeitgeist of founder burnout as a benchmark of entrepreneurial excellence, such has not been the case.”

A recent study by the University of San Francisco researcher Michael A. Freemanfocused on the mental health crisis that is raging, acknowledged but ineffectively addressed, among the men and women who comprise the entrepreneurial community.

According to this study, approximately one half (49%) of entrepreneurs suffer from at least one form of mental health condition during their lifetimes. These include ADHD, bipolar disorder and a host of addictive disorders.

Freeman’s research has shown that start-up founders are:

– Twice as likely to suffer from depression

– Six times more likely to suffer from ADHD

– Three times more likely to suffer from substance abuse

– 10 times more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder

– Twice as likely to have a psychiatric hospitalisation

– Twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts

These findings are actually conservative in the clinical experience of Dr Hokemeyer: “In my clinical practice, I see percentages in the range of 80% of entrepreneurs who struggle with a host of personality disorders such as narcissism, sudden wealth syndrome and the impostor syndrome.

“These conditions erode not just the effectiveness of start-up founders; they also have a negative impact on the endeavours that these highly intelligent human beings have risked their financial, relational, intellectual and emotional capital to pursue.”

 
Source of Information:

Written by

Marcel Muenster, Founder and Director, The Gritti Fund

Paul Hokemeyer, Clinical and Consulting Psychotherapist, Author

Related posts

22 June 2020

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE". Educational Platform for Adolescents and their Parents

The online educational platform for adolescents, parents and educators is created by the Sukharev Research Center for Child and Adolescent...

9 August 2016

Special Session 1. Child & Adolescent Mental Health

The pace of life in today's world is accelerating, the everlasting values are being questioned, the value of the basic...

8 April 2016

PROF. DR. WOLFGANG GAEBEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (EPA), WITH WELCOME ADDRESS TO THE CONGRESS PARTICIPANTS

PROF. DR. WOLFGANG GAEBEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (EPA), WITH WELCOME ADDRESS TO THE CONGRESS PARTICIPANTS   Wolfgang...

29 July 2021

The WHO and Angry Birds Friends encourage communities to stay active during COVID-19

Regular physical activity is key to maintaining a healthy body and mind. It can reduce high blood pressure, help manage...

7 April 2016

PROF. DR. WOLFGANG GAEBEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (EPA), HAS JOINED THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

PROF. DR. WOLFGANG GAEBEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (EPA), HAS JOINED THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Wolfgang Gaebel is...

14 October 2019

Union for Mental Health of Russia has launched the Anti-Depression Mobile Application

  The first Russian-language self-help mobile application, designed to combat depression and improve the quality of life, is developed by...

22 March 2018

Community-based Psychiatry: Challenges and Solutions

All-Russia Scientific Conference "Community-based Psychiatry: Challenges and Solutions" devoted to memory of the great scientist V.S.Yastrebov was held on 21...

19 August 2019

The IAPT programme by Professor David Clark, the UK Government's Clinical and Informatics Advisor, a member of the Congress International Organizing Committee

30 November 2017

THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE II CONGRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH: MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE XXI CENTURY MET ON 29 NOVEMBER

November 29, the third meeting of the II Congress on Mental Health: Meeting the Needs of the XXI Century Organizing Committee chaired by Igor N....

16 March 2021

I/WE ARE PSYCHIATRISTS

The Union for Mental Health has launched a new project "I/WE are PSYCHIATRISTS", which is a series of video interviews...