The Mental Health of Entrepreneurs in Times of Crisis: How Human-Centred Care Can Sustain Businesses and People

In recent years, global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability and rapidly accelerating digital transformation have affected not only markets and companies, but also the mental wellbeing of those leading businesses. Entrepreneurs, often seen as naturally resilient, face pressures that extend far beyond financial concerns. The weight of decision-making, responsibility for jobs and the constant need to innovate have made mental health an asset just as strategic as working capital.

A study by Sebrae showed that more than half of Brazilian entrepreneurs felt their lives had been emotionally affected by the pandemic, while 15% began using medication such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs during that period. Another survey found that 60% reported symptoms of anxiety and 32% were at risk of depression amid the post-COVID financial crisis. These figures reinforce the fact that emotional balance is no longer merely a personal matter, but a strategic issue for business survival and long-term sustainability.

The Power of Human-Centred Care

Mental health specialists point out that, during periods of instability, human-centred care can make a significant difference both inside and outside organisations. This means creating environments based on support, respect for individual needs, empathetic communication and the integration of emotional wellbeing with professional performance.

Studies suggest that this type of approach can reduce absences caused by burnout, improve productivity and strengthen talent retention. In other words, companies that invest in the wellbeing of their leaders and employees not only protect their health but also become more resilient and competitive in challenging circumstances.

Leide Teixeira’s Perspective

To gain a closer understanding of this issue, Forbes Lisbon spoke with Leide Teixeira, an entrepreneur and psychologist from São Paulo and founder of Vitalidade Psicologia Clínica. At 46, with 21 years of experience in human development, Leide has specialised in grief, critical incidents within companies, alcohol and other drugs, and is also a Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Her career brings together clinical practice and business management in a model that has already impacted hundreds of patients and employees.

“Global crises place entrepreneurs at a crossroads: on one side, there is the pressure to make difficult and rapid decisions; on the other, there is the urgent need to look after their own mental health and that of their teams. When mental health breaks down, everything is affected: leadership, vision and even the day-to-day operation of the business.”

Leide’s story is marked by courage. To open her first clinic, she sold her own refrigerator to pay the rent for the premises. That decision symbolises her belief that difficulties can be transformed into opportunities. Today, she runs two clinics and argues that a genuine competitive advantage lies in close, structured and human-centred care, both for patients and for teams.

The Impact of Crises on the Entrepreneurial Mind

According to Leide, the main factors that affect leaders’ mental wellbeing during periods of crisis include:

• Continuous uncertainty, which fuels anxiety and fear.
• Decision overload, which increases the risk of mental exhaustion.
• Loss of control in the face of external factors such as inflation or regulatory changes.
• Isolation among leaders, which often prevents them from sharing vulnerability.
• Guilt and self-criticism for being unable to fully protect the company or the team.

“This is where human-centred care becomes essential. When we create safe and supportive environments, we strengthen the resilience of everyone involved. This is not a luxury; it is a sustainability strategy,” says the psychologist.

Strategies for Companies and Leaders

Drawing on her experience, Leide identifies three fundamental pillars for navigating periods of crisis:

1. Regular psychological support, ensuring ongoing care for leaders and entrepreneurs and helping to prevent emotional breakdowns.
2. Emotional management within teams, including training to help people deal with loss, pressure and uncertainty.
3. Human-centred working environments, integrating mental health, respect for individual differences and strong support networks.

The Legacy of Care

More than numbers, Leide considers her greatest legacy to be the transformation that each patient or team carries with them after receiving support.

“When someone leaves more self-aware, more resilient and better able to transform their own reality, that is when the mission has been fulfilled,” she concludes.

In a world increasingly shaped by recurring crises, the message is clear: mental health is not simply an individual matter. It is a management strategy capable of sustaining businesses, inspiring teams and creating the conditions for companies and people to grow together.