The mental health of the self-employed

Mental Health at Work has partnered with Simply Business to support the UK’s self-employed with their mental health and wellbeing. Together we surveyed more than 700 people who work for themselves to understand their challenges. Now we want to start a conversation and break the stigma surrounding mental health at work.

Self-employed people and micro-business owners often get overlooked when workplace interventions to support mental health are developed. This survey, conducted by Simply Business and Mental Health at Work, asked 749 small business owners about their experiences of mental wellbeing at work, the support available, and what they need to be able to thrive in the future.

The survey paints a worrying picture: over half of those who participated experienced poor mental health in the last 12 months, and almost a half struggled with sleep. 1 in 3 small business owners reported working more than 46 hours a week, while three quarters admitted to taking fewer than 20 days of annual leave.

You can read the full findings in the report below.