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Nearly ten years ago, I found my husband crying in the glow of his computer screen. I wondered why Rob, a tech businesskinda.com with technical degrees and signature stoicism, was so visibly upset. “Aaron Swartz committed suicide,” he sputtered.
Swartz, a 26-year-old software developer, helped build the RSS web feed format and joined Reddit as a partner six months after it was founded. We didn’t know him personally. Still, Rob was shocked by the suicide of this serial businesskinda.com. I suspect he saw parts of himself in Swartz.
At the time I was a professor of psychology with a focus on traumatic stress. Since then, I’ve devoted my career to entrepreneurial mental health. It can be a dangerous profession psychologically.
According to Dr. Michael Freeman, one of the few established physicians to have done research in this area, is an astonishing 72% of entrepreneurs Report your concerns about mental health. There is no reliable data on suicide rates or suicidal thoughts among entrepreneurs, although some have suggested founders are: twice as likely have suicidal thoughts.
If you were more susceptible to a deadly disease at a faster rate than the rest of the population, you’d be paying attention. Entrepreneurs, we need to talk more about this risk.
Since Swartz’s death, many high-profile entrepreneurs have died by suicide or suspected suicide: unfiltered founder Jake Millar. Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee. Zappos founder Tony Hsieh. Famous Chef Anthony Bourdain. Handbag designer Kate Spade. The list continues.
Through my own work, I’ve realized that highly competent founders and entrepreneurs don’t talk about what they’re struggling with. Once entrepreneurs understand some of the factors that contribute to this deadly silence, they can better recognize them in their own lives. One thing is certain: the stigma surrounding this conversation is deadly. Here are some observations from my practice:
Related: Changing the Story: Entrepreneurs and Mental Health
Contents
go alone
Suicidal thoughts are common. According to a study, 9.2% of people will have suicidal thoughts during their lifetime. Data collected by the CDC an annual survey conducted from 2015-2019 found that 4.3% of American adults reported having suicidal thoughts in the previous year. One of the factors that makes entrepreneurs more vulnerable is that they tend to work in isolation. Even surrounded by teams, many of my clients still feel out of sync with others as they take on the uniquely taxing role of running a business. Early-stage entrepreneurs may literally work alone — without team members or sounding boards. In addition, entrepreneurs tend to build more professional networks than close-knit social circles (ie, networking before friendships). Most potential confidants have touchpoints in business. It is often difficult to discuss deep vulnerabilities.
Prioritizing performance over health
Business and performance coaches can be fantastic resources, but they are not trained counselors. Relying only on this kind of support becomes problematic when the focus is first on the company and then on the people. Many entrepreneurs work exclusively with business mentors, with no focus on their individual psychological health.
Suppressing the need for mental health to prioritize business growth allows minor psychological vulnerabilities to fester. I suggest we reverse that mentality: a good person creates a good company. Put mental health first and trust that the profits will also strengthen the business. That is not always the case with entrepreneurs.
Related: Tips for Entrepreneurs to Fight Suicidal Thoughts
When thoughts become actions (or inactivity)
Founders don’t just think, they act. They invent and build. They set thoughts in motion. What is a company but a good idea, realized? Giving a voice to suicidal thoughts scares entrepreneurs because it makes dark ideas seem real, especially given the tendency to act quickly to make ideas a reality. The opposite can also happen: a feeling of paralysis without anything happening.
Entrepreneurs solve problems all day, every day. When the forged path starts to become impassable, like a maze with no exit, it can feel like there are no good choices. Intelligent, motivated professionals who rarely encounter unsolvable problems are not used to this feeling. It’s shocking. It’s crippling. The consequences of admitting this? Entrepreneurs worry that it will be seen as a weakness that will affect the business. Feeling locked up often precedes suicidal thoughts.
Carrying more than your weight
Once investors, shareholders and employees are on board, it can suddenly become clear to entrepreneurs how many lives are at stake. Their businesses keep lives and livelihoods together. Under these circumstances, hiding vulnerabilities seems preferable. Many entrepreneurs are so focused on their responsibilities to others that they prioritize themselves.
Related: I’ve had suicidal thoughts as an businesskinda.com. Here’s how I learned to deal with depression.
Embrace Preventive Mental Health
Entrepreneurs need to choose a less lonely path – building social circles, not just networking events. Learn to be vulnerable and share real feelings with supportive friends, a coach or a therapist. There are many entrepreneurial groups dedicated to professional development, relationship building and the human side of running a business.
Individually, embracing preventive mental health care is essential. Set aside time to exercise your body, embrace unstructured play, find a hobby without a business angle, spend uninterrupted time with loved ones, and build a long-term relationship with a mental health professional. And consider regular sabbaticals away from your daily work routine.
Talking about these issues, including suicidal thoughts, doesn’t make them more real. Shining a light on them tends to diminish their strength.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to connect to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline provides free, confidential 24 hour support to anyone in need, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.