Three quarters of East Midlands business leaders have experienced difficulties making decisions due to mental health

Three quarters of East Midlands business leaders have experienced difficulties making decisions due to mental health.

Work-life balance, impaired decision-making and financial concerns are among mental health challenges faced by the region’s business leaders, with only a third comfortable in seeking support, according to research from East Midlands Chamber and leadership and mental health advocate Gary Parsons.

The data was published in a report to mark one year of the Leaders in Disguise Podcast, which aims to raise awareness of mental health challenges in leadership, inspired by founder Gary Parsons’s own battle with depression while running a business.

Key findings:

• Three quarters of leaders said mental health impacts their decision-making
• 6 out of 10 leaders reported work-life balance as their greatest challenge
• Half of leaders reported financial stress as their greatest challenge
•  Nearly 1 in 5 leaders reported feelings of isolation or loneliness
• Only three in ten leaders feel ‘very comfortable’ seeking mental health support

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of business leaders and all levels of a workforce is essential to building a resilient, productive economy. The findings of this research help better understand the pressures facing those at the top, which in turn will help shape a future where leadership and wellbeing go hand in hand.”

Leaders in Disguise Founder and Presenter Gary Parsons said: “These aren’t just personal stories, they’re warnings. I always knew there was a problem getting leaders to speak out, but I didn’t realise just how widespread it was until this past year.

“Through Leaders in Disguise, I’ve heard story after story of people achieving incredible success while privately battling burnout, isolation, or mental health challenges. Many are risking it all behind the scenes with little or no support. We need to stop treating leadership wellbeing as optional. Leaders are the lifeblood of our economy - and right now, far too many are suffering in silence.”

The Leaders in Disguise Podcast features conversations with business leaders around the mental and emotional toll of leadership. Typical issues discussed by guests include burnout, imposter syndrome, loneliness and the pressure to succeed.