It’s Time We Talked About Mental Health in Business

Mental health has always been there in the background for me. I think that’s true for a lot of business owners, we carry on, keep smiling, and pour ourselves into the next task, even when everything underneath feels heavy. But over the years, juggling my physical health, family life, and the pressures of running a business has taken its toll. Running your own business can be an incredible privilege, but it can also be incredibly lonely. There’s no sick pay, no one to hand things over to when you need to stop, and no real “off switch.” You want to be strong for your family, your clients, and your team, but sometimes, that strength starts to crack a little around the edges.

For me, the hardest parts have been imposter syndrome, exhaustion, guilt, and panic attacks. There are days when chronic pain makes it hard to concentrate, days when fatigue becomes overwhelming, and days when I feel guilty for not keeping up with everything I think I should be doing. And then there’s the guilt that follows for even admitting that. Because so many of us, especially those who’ve served in the military or grown up with that mindset — are conditioned to just get on with it.

Reaching Out for Support

Earlier this year, I decided to reach out for help. As a veteran, I contacted Help for Heroes, who quickly referred me to their Hidden Wounds service. It can be really hard to access mental health support through the NHS, and I know I’m not the only one who’s found that frustrating. But Help for Heroes were different, their response was fast, kind, and understanding. They didn’t make me feel like I had to justify my feelings or prove that I was struggling enough. They simply listened, and that made all the difference.

It reminded me that you don’t have to be in crisis to need help. Sometimes, it’s just about learning new ways to cope — new tools, new perspectives, and the space to talk openly without judgment.

Learning to Cope, Not Just Cope Alone

I’m still learning new coping strategies, but sharing my experiences like this is one of them. Talking helps. Writing helps. Being open helps.

And so does taking time out, something I’m not naturally good at. I spend time at the stables every day, and that’s my “switch off” space. It’s where I can just be me, not a business owner, not a mum, not someone with chronic pain or deadlines, just Liz.

Some of my family and friends understand what it’s like, and some don’t — and that’s okay. What I’ve learned is that it makes a real difference to connect with other veterans and other business owners. There’s an unspoken understanding there. We get what it means to carry responsibility, to keep going even when it’s tough, and to silently fight the battles no one sees.

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: find someone you can talk to. It doesn’t have to be a therapist straight away — it could be another business owner, a friend, a mentor, or someone in your community. Just don’t keep it bottled up.

Why I’m Sharing This Now

I’m sharing this now not only because I’m on my own mental health journey, but because I’ve recently lost someone to theirs.

That loss has been a painful reminder that we don’t talk about mental health enough, especially in the business community and especially among veterans. Whether you’re a man or a woman, a solopreneur, a CEO, or someone just trying to make ends meet, it doesn’t matter who you are. What matters is that you reach out, because there is support out there.

We need to normalise these conversations. It shouldn’t take a crisis, a breakdown, or a loss to start talking about how we’re feeling.

A Gentle Reminder

If you’re struggling, please know that you’re not alone. There are people who will listen, help, and support you, without judgment and without expectation. And if you’re a business owner, remember that you are not your business. You’re a person first, and you matter just as much as the work you do.

At Escape the Village, we work with many entrepreneurs who live with disability, chronic illness, or invisible conditions , and we understand that sometimes, showing up every day takes more strength than most people will ever see. You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine. You just have to keep taking the next step, and when it gets too heavy, reach out.

If You Need Support Right Now

Here are some incredible organisations that can help, day or night:

• Help for Heroes – Hidden Wounds
  Support for veterans and their families: helpforheroes.org.uk
• Samaritans – 116 123
  A free, confidential 24-hour listening service for anyone in distress.
• Mind – mind.org.uk
  Mental health charity offering advice, resources, and support.
• Combat Stress – 0800 138 1619
  The UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
• Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258
  Free, confidential text support 24/7.
• Veterans’ Gateway – veteransgateway.org.uk
  One-stop service connecting veterans and their families to the support they need.

Please, reach out. Talk to someone. You don’t have to face things alone, and you don’t have to wait until things fall apart to ask for help.

If you’d like to chat about business support from someone who understands the balance between health, life, and entrepreneurship, Escape the Village is always here, without judgment, without pressure, just real understanding.