Take outs:

• Small business owners face unique stressors such as long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues, and balancing work with personal life, which can negatively impact mental health.
  
  
• Warning signs of stress and burnout include lower work performance, negative feelings about the business, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and strained relationships with employees, clients, and others.
  
  

• Various resources are available for small business owners, including the SCORE Mentorship Program, offering free business and emotional guidance; the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides tailored resources and mental health tracking; and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, helping owners and staff identify and manage mental health issues in the workplace.   

Mental Health for Small Business Owners

Working for yourself can be rewarding but for many, being the person responsible for a business can also be highly stressful. Long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues, and the constant balancing act between work and home life can take a toll on your mental health. The pressures of managing everything yourself can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and mentally drained. 

Common Challenges for Small Business Owners  

Running a business comes with its own unique challenges, including: 

• Working hard for long hours to start or sustain your business 

• Using personal time for work tasks (such as emails, messages, invoicing, accounts or social media) 

• Not having someone to share work-related worries with who understands your situation  

• Managing cash flow, finances, debt and money issues  

• Navigating government regulations and other administrative duties 

• Feeling responsible for the people who depend on you

Signs You May Be Struggling  

The unique challenges of running a business can lead to stress, which, if prolonged, may develop into burnout or worsen an existing mental health condition. Some signs to watch out for include: 

• Not doing work to your usual performance standards 

• Feeling negative about your business 

• Difficulty concentrating or not being focused at work  

• Finding it hard to manage your behavior at work  

• Feeling tired or irritable all the time 

• Missing work deadlines or falling behind on money, accounts and finances 

• Trouble in relationships with employees, clients, suppliers, family or friends 

• Reduced punctuality or missing work 

If some of these signs sound familiar, consider using a mental health assessment tool to help you understand your situation and find the resources you need for support. 

Mental Health Resources for Small Business Owners  

When you’re focused on running or growing your business, managing staff and dealing with challenges that emerge, you might not think to prioritize your own mental health. There are various resources available to help small business owners manage their mental health:

1. SCORE Mentorship Program
   

   SCORE is a nonprofit organization offering free mentoring services to small business owners. They provide guidance on managing stress and mental health while navigating the challenges of running a business. SCORE's mentors are experienced business professionals who can provide both business and emotional support.

2. Small Business Administration (SBA)
   

   A digital hub offering tailored resources, community support, and mental health tracking for small business owners. It’s designed to help you stay on top of your mental wellbeing while running your business.

3. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
   Mental Health First Aid is a program that trains individuals to identify and respond to mental health issues. Business owners and their staff can benefit from the training to better manage workplace mental health and create a supportive environment for themselves and their teams. 

Alternative Support 

If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911. 

For 24-hour mental health support, you can also reach out to:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 988 

• SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• National Helpline for Men — 1-800-850-8635 

For tax-related support, the IRS offers programs to help small business owners facing financial difficulties in paying taxes. Depending on your situation, the IRS may allow you extra time to file taxes, waive penalties, or work out a payment plan.  

The pressures of small business ownership can be overwhelming, but support is available. By taking steps to manage your mental health, you not only improve your well-being but also enhance the overall success and longevity of your business. If you're struggling, reach out for the help you deserve—whether it's professional coaching, mental health resources, or financial support. Your mental health is just as important as your business's success. 

Here at Kelly+Partners we believe the key to living a fulfilled life is a balance of physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. That’s why we’re driven to support businesses and their communities to be better off. We live our own healthy, wealthy wise values right alongside you.