Issue #74: A List of Mental Health Resources for Entrepreneurs
I am kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with a new list of mental health resources for entrepreneurs and ambitious people.
Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The irony in that is that I was going to skip writing this week’s newsletter because honestly, my mental health has been in the gutter for the past two weeks. But when I woke up this morning and realized that it was the first of May, I took it as a sign to get on here and share resources for those who may be going through something similar.
I have lived with anxiety and depression longer than I have been an entrepreneur. But entrepreneurship has absolutely heightened those issues over the past 5 or so years. I believe for those on the outside looking in, it’s easy to view entrepreneurs as powerful, fearless beings who are going after their goals and taking big risks. And trust me, we are! But because of this perception, I also believe that it pushes many of us who struggle with anxiety and depression to suffer in silence.
Many people don’t see the tears that flow caused by our anxious thoughts. Or the limits that our depressive episodes put on how we are building our businesses. And to be real, many of us never mention anything about what we’re experiencing in private because who wants to hire someone who is always complaining about their mental health?! At least that’s what my mind often tries to tell me.
But as someone who has to actively work on her mental health just as much as my business, I want to use the platform and audience that I have to bring awareness to what many of us experience. I don’t share my story for attention, but to hopefully show you that both the love for the work you do and your mental health can coexist. Both can be true. You can be a successful entrepreneur and also deal with anxiety and depression on a daily basis.
It’s also why I am a huge advocate for rest. Not just because rest and self-care are easy buzzwords to market, but because if you’re an entrepreneur who struggles with anxiety, depression, or some other mental health concern, entrepreneurship will eat you alive if you’re not taking good care of yourself.
This week I wanted to share a list of mental health resources that you can use on your own journey. If you have any recommendations that I didn’t mention, please let me know in the comments and I will try my best to keep this list updated.
Note: Some problems are too much for just one person to handle. If you or someone you know is having any thoughts of self-harm, please contact the Crisis Hotline asap by dialing 988.
THERAPY
Therapy for Black Girls – Find trusted, culturally responsive therapists.
Grow Therapy – I recently used this tool to find my therapist and it was SO easy.
OpenPath Collective – A non-profit that provides therapy services for anyone with a financial need.
Talk Space – Affordable online talk therapy.
PODCASTS
The Anxious Overachiever – Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace.
Zen Founder – The ZenFounder podcast is a combination of interviews with successful entrepreneurs, conversations with experts, and honest reflections on entrepreneur life, focused on helping entrepreneurs practice better mental health.
Slow Down to Speed Up – Slow Down To Speed Up is where executive coach Brian Wang conducts real-life coaching sessions with startup founders.
NAKED by The Future Farm – Vulnerable conversations about entrepreneurship.
BOOKS
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk: A deep dive into trauma and its impact on our bodies.
“The Entrepreneurs Guide to Keeping Your Sh*t Together” by Sherry Walling, PhD – Learn how to stay sane and ensure both you and your business thrive for years.
“When Faith Meets Therapy” by Anthony Evans and Stacy Kaiser – The power of faith intersects with the practicality of counseling in this unique partnership of a faith/worship leader and a therapist as they offer a pathway for readers to find help, hope, healing, and freedom while navigating life's struggles.
“A Practical Way To Get Rich…And Die Trying” by John Roa – A young tech entrepreneur's memoir of building his hugely successful company and the mental and physical price he paid for it.
“Burn Rate” by Andy Dunn – Burn Rate is an unconventional entrepreneurial memoir, a parable for the twenty-first-century economy, and a revelatory look at the prevalence of mental illness in the startup community.
MEDITATION APPS
Headspace: Guided meditation and mindfulness exercises.
Calm: Offers meditation, sleep stories, and relaxation exercises.
OTHER RESOURCES
Econa – The global center of excellence for entrepreneur mental wellness.
Minding My Black Business – One-to-One wellness consulting for Black entrepreneurs and more.
“What They Don’t Tell You About Entrepreneurship” a TED Talk by Mark Leruste
For Entrepreneurs, the Price of Success Could Mean Your Mental Health
DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE
Thank you for putting words to this and offering resources. As a business owner, especially in the personal growth and spiritual zone. It takes courage and discernment to know when to share ourselves fully and vulnerably because we're expected to be the expert. This can create such loneliness because we can isolate ourselves believing that it's best to keep our emotional challenges to ourselves. When I'm in those rough emotional waters, it can be difficult to show up as that expert who is in the role of giving when what I really need it to receive. I've often thought of creating a group for women entrepreneurs to talk about this part of business ownership. Groups have been a lifeline for me throughout my life. There are few things in life that are better than the support of kindreds.