Being an entrepreneur or an independent professional can be a very rewarding path both personally and professionally, but it can also take its toll. Being an entrepreneur requires drive, resilience and comfort with risk taking. Often this type of work is tied to our personal values and identity.
The nature of the work potentially comes with uncertainty, long hours and feelings of isolation, all of which can have a negative impact on mental health. In fact, a 2023 survey by the Business Development Bank of Canada found that 35% of owners reported low levels of well-being.
Whatever your area of expertise, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health has a broad range of free resources to help you optimize your energy and focus to support your success.
This resource has much of what we learned from professionals like yourself:
Independent professionals – tips and strategies for those who are self-employed, work from home or remotely, or often work in isolation
Try these free assessments to support your self-awareness:
- Am I at risk for burnout? | PDF – take this 2-minute self-assessment to find out if you’re nearing burnout.
- Emotional intelligence self-assessment – take this self-assessment to help you improve your self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management.
- Directory of self-assessment health tools – find links to organizations that provide questionnaires and tools to explore whether further action would be beneficial for you.
Additional resources
Resources are available to help at work, including planning for a mentally healthy retirement.
Links for getting help, for yourself or family members, including caregiver resources are provided.
Resources for personal growth including loss and grief, loneliness and social connection, managing stress and resilience.
Approaches for people leaders includes strategies to address employee concerns, develop leadership skills and support team building.
Organizational strategies are for decision-makers who are responsible for policies, programs and prevention strategies or to support workplace mental health and psychological health and safety for all.
If you’re also a consultant or trainer in the areas of workplace mental health, leadership or psychological health and safety, check out the additional resources available to you.