Betsy suffered with Bipolar Affective Disorder throughout her early adult years but was able to overcome her illness and become a successful author and publisher. Here she offers her advice on how others can establish a business with a mental illness.
People from all walks of life develop mental health issues from a combination of genetics and environmental stimulus. Struggling with a silent battle, mental health disorders can have a crippling effect on the simplest of daily activities, and a tremendous impact on working life.
The World Health Organisation estimates that over 450 million people suffer from a mental illness and over two thirds will never turn to a professional body for help. This puts mental illness among the top causes of poor-health globally, with depression and bipolar disorder accounting for two of the top four most-common mental health problems.
On average, a fifth of days lost from work in Britain alone can be attributed to battles with anxiety and depression. In addition, 38 per cent of UK workers claim that they would avoid disclosing a mental health condition at work out of fear it could threaten their job prospects, according to a study by The Mental Health Foundation.
Yet, mental health should not be taken as a barrier to a successful career, or to establishing your own business. Research by The Mental Health Foundation shows that last year employees with mental health struggles contributed £226bn (12.1%) to the UK GDP, which is testament to their continued role as a vital resource to the development of the UK economy. Furthermore, the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that pursuing a career can in fact improve people's mental health as it provides a sense of identity, belonging and personal achievement, which all too often are missing in life.
When tackling mental illness in the workplace, the focus should be on embracing differences and using them to affect positive change. According to research by genetics-based company deCODE, for instance, there is a genetic link between business creativity and mental illness. The challenge then is to find the right balance that allows employees to pursue a successful and fulfilling career, whilst coping with the everyday struggles of living with a mental disorder.
One of the most effective ways to achieve this is simply to pursue what you genuinely love doing. Research conducted by David Richards at The University of Exeter, across mental health centres in the UK, concluded that what you do and how you feel are directly linked. Pursuing something you enjoy can therefore drastically improve your mental health.
This is something I discovered during the establishment of my own company Bloodhound Books, a leading independent publisher of crime and thriller fiction. I have developed my career to a level I never thought possible and it has been a great achievement to make a living through something I am passionate about, and in an environment where my capabilities as an author and publisher are the only qualities I am evaluated on.
If you had told me 20 - or even 10 - years ago, that I would be married with two young daughters and a successful business, I would never have believed you. Though without my illness, I would not be the success I am now because my love of books and writing came out of my mental struggles.
One piece of advice I would offer though, is to take precautions in your career to make sure you keep your mental state on the straight and narrow.
A well-structured plan, for instance, can help to manage time, energy and resources effectively, preventing the chance of becoming overwhelmed. It can also help to you identify potential challenges that you may incur and put plans into place to resolve these.
Building a supportive network is also essential. It can be easy to get caught up in developing a career or company and making it a success, without taking the time to look after your own health. Bloodhound Books would not be the company it is today, or even exist, without the help and support of my husband Fred. He has not only provided an invaluable professional input to the company, but has acted as a voice of reason, ensuring that my well being has not been passed over at expense of the business.
There are numerous external resources out there to help too. Several insurance companies, for instance, cover mental health illnesses, so if you need a break to ensure you don't become overwhelmed, you can do so without jeopardising the company and all the hard work you have put in so far.
By using these resources and establishing the right coping mechanisms, you will find that achieving a work-life balance is much easier.
Having a mental health illness such as depression or bipolar can undoubtedly alter your outlook on life, but it doesn't need to stop you achieving your ambitions. I am living proof that you can still pursue your dreams with a mental illness.
Bloodhound Books is a leading independent crime fiction publisher based in Cambridge, UK. They specialise in crime, thrillers, mystery & chillers and represent more than 60 independent authors selling 1 million books a year.
