Techstars Entrepreneurship & Mental Health Series
Techstars just released a 4-part original video series on entrepreneurship and mental health. Iâm featured in one of the four short (< 10 minute) videos.
If there was ever a moment in time that challenged our individual and collective mental health, itâs the Covid crisis. When Techstars began working on this project last year, the focus was on increasing awareness of the issues around mental health and entrepreneurship. There was no anticipation of the additional pressure the Covid crisis would put on â well â everyone, everywhere. The timing goal was simply to release it during Mental Health Month 2020.
Iâve spoken regularly since 2013 about my struggles with anxiety and depression. As a result of a depressive episode that I had, I decided that I wanted to try to lower the stigma, especially in entrepreneurship, around mental health issues. I personally no longer separate between physical health and mental health â they are both part of our existence as humans, something everyone struggles with at some level, and something everyone can work on, if they want.
Iâm officially DSM-5 300.3: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. If you know me, you know that Iâm a counter, arranger, and checker with some washing (mostly hands) tossed in for good measure. My magic number is 3.
Since I became public about this in 2013, Iâve met many entrepreneurs who have opened up to me about their own struggles. In some cases, Iâm the first person theyâve ever talked to because of the stigma associated with mental health issues, especially around leadership (e.g. a leader canât show weakness). Some of the people Iâve developed relationships with around this are much more visible and successful than I am, yet, very few people know that they struggle with mental health issues. While thatâs their choice, Iâm glad they feel safe talking to me and I hope itâs at least a little bit helpful to them.
My wife Amy Batchelor is front and center in this video. When I listen to her talk about her experience with me around these issues, I realize how incredibly lucky I am to have a partner who has supported me from the very beginning. I know how challenging I can be at times, and I donât think Iâd be here, at this point in my life, without Amy.
I also highlight my first business partner Dave Jilk in the video. Dave is still one of my closest friends and probably knows me better than anyone on Planet Earth other than Amy and my brother Daniel. Daveâs support of me during my first depressive episode â when we were partners at Feld Technologies â was profound to me. And his support during my depressive episode in 2013 (which is a story I tell in the video) was incredible.
Many of the organizations Iâm involved in are increasing their focus on mental health support. For example, one of the primary initiatives of Energize Colorado is mental health support for business people during the Covid crisis. And, thereâs a lot more coming in my world.
Techstars â thanks for making this a priority for entrepreneurs. And to my fellow participants in the video series â Andrea Perdomo and Matthew Helt â thank you for being brave enough to tell your stories. Finally, Tishin Donkersley, thank you for the foresight, motivation, and endless efforts to make this project come to life.