Seven in ten founders link proactive mental health to growth, but few act early  

Seven in ten company founders believe proactive mental health management improves business performance, yet only one in 100 describe their own approach as preventative, according to new research from Bupa. 

The global study of 500 founders who are still actively involved in running their business highlights a growing disconnect at the heart of founder culture. While 71 per cent say prioritising mental health leads to stronger business performance and growth, just one per cent say they manage their own mental health proactively. Instead, many continue to operate in reactive mode, addressing stress only after it begins to impair their leadership. 

The findings suggest this gap is no longer just a wellbeing issue, but a business risk. More than half of founders (58 per cent) say poor mental health negatively affected their ability to lead in the past year. Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) say work-related stress has made it harder to switch off during family events, while 75 per cent report an impact on their physical health or sleep. 

Bupa’s research also reveals a clear link between preventative mental health habits and business confidence. Founders predicting growth of 10 per cent or more in the next year are twice as likely to take proactive steps to manage their mental health than those expecting lower growth. The data points to a performance divide between founders who build consistent habits and those who rely on recovery after burnout. 

Despite this, reactive behaviour remains the norm. Two in five founders (40 per cent) say they only take action when stress reaches critical levels, while nearly a third (31 per cent) respond only during periods of high stress. Almost one in five (17 per cent) say they never check in on their mental health or wellbeing at all. 

The same pattern appears in how founders access support. Three in five (58 per cent) say they seek therapy or counselling reactively, rather than as a preventative measure. Two thirds (64 per cent) would only use digital mental health tools if prompted by a specific issue. Time pressure remains the biggest barrier, cited by 45 per cent, followed by competing priorities (40 per cent) and difficulty building consistent habits (37 per cent). 

Mental health symptoms among founders are widespread. Three in five (62 per cent) report experiencing anxiety in the past year, while 53 per cent report sleep disturbances. Half say they have experienced low mood or persistent sadness, and more than a third (37 per cent) report a loss of motivation. 

Bupa says the findings underline the need to make mental health care more routine and accessible for leaders. In response, the healthcare company has committed to investing £140m to open 200 dedicated mental health centres globally by the end of 2027. The walk-in Mindplace centres will offer therapy and counselling delivered by qualified professionals, with 50 locations expected to open across five countries by the end of 2025. 

Iñaki Ereño, group chief executive of Bupa, said many leaders understand the importance of mental health but struggle to act consistently. He said the research shows an “always on” approach to mental health is closely tied to both personal wellbeing and business success, yet remains difficult to embed in busy working lives. 

The findings add to growing evidence that founder wellbeing is a strategic issue, not a personal one. As pressure, pace and responsibility continue to rise, the ability to sustain performance may depend less on resilience after burnout and more on prevention long before it takes hold.