According to a study carried out by the CSA Institute for the Willa and Harmonie Mutuelle association, 38% of French entrepreneurs present a moderate or high risk of burnout. A trend that is even more pronounced among women.

Women even more affected

The study, called an overview of the mental health of entrepreneurs, was carried out among 723 entrepreneurs working in tech and innovation. And its results are reason to question. 72% of business founders describe their physical and/or mental state as “ bad »a proportion which rises to 75% among women, compared to 64% among men.

This disparity highlights increased vulnerability among women entrepreneurs, who must deal with specific and cumulative challenges », Specify the authors. Searching for clients, workload, difficulties in balancing professional and personal life are all factors cited by respondents. 61% of them consider their mental workload to be high, and nearly 72% say that it has increased since the creation of their company.

The scale of the phenomenon is such that 42% of women surveyed say they have experienced burnout, compared to 28% of men. 6% of respondents are currently in a situation of overwork. As a reminder, burn-out, also called professional exhaustion syndrome, is a state of physical, emotional and mental fatigue linked to chronic stress at work. A finding which is similar to that of another study, reporting an increased rate of burn-out in the digital world.

Entrepreneurial success must not come at the expense of personal well-being: it is both an economic issue and a public health issue. It is urgent that the ecosystem mobilizes to support entrepreneurs, offer them appropriate support and create favorable conditions for their development, both professionally and personally. », Reacts Flore Egnell, general delegate of Willa.

Unsuitable support

Because the study reveals another reality: support for people suffering from burn-out is still too weak, while demand is increasing. Thus, 65% of entrepreneurs admit to never having found out about mental health. And those who do so do not necessarily turn to the most suitable solutions.

35% of them seek advice from other entrepreneurs, while a further 35% seek help in books on personal development, leaving aside professional support. 37% are looking for coaching, and 29% argue in favor of covering the costs linked to psychological monitoring.

The mental health of entrepreneurs must become a priority. This study demonstrates the importance of prevention and support, which are currently too insufficient. The health system must reinvent itself to offer entrepreneurs adapted and accessible prevention solutions, in particular through awareness-raising actions, psychological support and specific support systems. », remarks Eric Favrou, marketing director for entrepreneurs at Harmonie Mutuelle.

  • According to a new study, 72% of business founders describe their physical and/or mental state as “bad,” a proportion that rises to 75% among women, compared to 64% among men.
  • 42% of women surveyed say they have experienced burnout, compared to 28% of men.
  • Entrepreneurs are asking for support, but the support does not necessarily prove to be appropriate.
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