- New global research from Bupa finds nearly seven in ten (68%) founders say an ‘always on’ approach to managing their mental health is key to their success
- Founders who are predicting strong revenue growth in the next year are twice as likely to be taking steps to manage their mental health
- Despite a clear correlation between proactive mental health management and business success – two in five only take action when their stress reaches peak levels
- In March, Bupa announced it is investing £140m to open a global network of 200 in-person dedicated ‘Mindplace’ centres - making high-quality, mental healthcare accessible to thousands over the next two years
- Globally acclaimed business founders David Abrahamovitch and Marita Cheng partner with Bupa to encourage other leaders to take preventative steps to look after their mental health
Anticipating mental health needs is key to both a founder’s success and their business’ performance, yet many are still waiting until crisis point to act, according to new research from Bupa, the international healthcare company.
The global study1 of 500 founders, who are still actively involved in running their business, shows that nearly seven in ten (68%) believe an ‘always on’ approach to managing their mental health is key to their own success. Similarly, 71% say that companies which prioritise proactive mental health management are more likely to see improved business performance and growth.
The research also revealed founders projecting strong company growth are more likely to practice preventative mental healthcare measures. Those projecting 10% or more business growth over the next year are twice as likely (10% v 5%) to proactively manage their mental health compared to founders anticipating lower company growth.
However, there is a stark gap between recognising the need to protect mental health and taking preventive action. Two in five (40%) founders admit only addressing mental health when their stress reaches critical levels, with nearly a third (31%) only doing so during periods of high stress. Almost a fifth (17%) say they never check in on their mental health or wellbeing. This prevention gap highlights the need to make mental health support as routine and accessible as physical health care, a challenge Bupa aims to address through a £140m investment in 200 new walk-in Mindplace centres globally by the end of 2027.
When it comes to seeking therapy or counselling, three in five (58%) founders take a reactive approach, compared to two in five (42%) who are proactively seeking support. Similarly, two thirds (64%) would only engage with digital mental health resources if something prompted them to. The top three barriers stopping founders engaging with their mental health more proactively include time constraints (45%), competing priorities (40%) and difficulty building consistent habits (37%).
Iñaki Ereño, Group CEO of Bupa, said: “In our busy lives, mental health often gets pushed to the sidelines. Our research shows that an ‘always on’ approach to mental health is key for personal wellbeing and integral to business success. Yet even leaders who recognise this fact don’t always find it easy to engage proactively with their mental health. We’ve launched our new Mindplace centres across cities worldwide, to make it as simple as possible for busy people to take a proactive approach to mental wellbeing - supporting everyday resilience, not just recovery.”
Bupa has partnered with two globally-renowned founders David Abrahamovitch, who founded global coffee-chain, Grind in 2011, and Marita Cheng, founder of AI and robotics companies Aubot, Aipoly and Robogals, to shine a light on the importance of protecting mental health.
David Abrahamovitch, founder and CEO of coffee-chain Grind said: “When I first started Grind I was constantly connected, checking messages, emails, and sales data around the clock. Over time, I learned that being proactive about my mental wellbeing isn’t about dramatic life changes, it’s about small, practical habits that create space to switch off and recharge. For me, that means simple things like putting my work phone away, exercising, reading, or listening to music - finding what genuinely makes me feel better, and doing more of it.”
“We all understand the importance of looking after our physical health, but it’s just as vital to learn how to look after our mental health too. Building boundaries, disconnecting from work, and taking time to reflect are essential to staying focused, resilient and creative as a founder. The better we care for ourselves, the better we can lead our teams and businesses.”
Marita Cheng, founder of AI and robotics companies Aubot, Aipoly and Robogals, said: “As a founder, how you show up mentally sets the tone for your whole company. When I’m well-rested, positive, and calm, that energy ripples through my team. It’s not about being endlessly strong - it’s about creating space to recharge, connect with others, and bring that steady mindset back into the business.”
“Founders carry a huge responsibility, not just for their own success, but for the livelihoods of their teams and the people who believe in their vision. That weight can be intense, which is why it’s so important to take care of your own mental health along the way. Taking breaks, getting perspective, and finding the things that help you feel grounded all build resilience over time. Looking after your mind isn’t a luxury - it’s part of leading well and staying the course.”
Three in five (62%) founders say they have experienced anxiety in the past year, while over half (53%) report sleep disturbances. Half (50%) also say they have experienced low mood or persistent sadness, and over a third (37%) have felt loss of motivation.
Nearly three quarters (72%) say work-related stress has affected their ability to switch off during family events and special occasions during the last year, while 75% say it has negatively impacted their physical health or sleep. Over half (54%) say work-related pressure always or often prevents them from switching off at weekends. Founders also recognise the dangers to their business of neglecting their mental health, with nearly three in five (58%) saying that poor mental health has impacted their ability to lead in the past year.
About Mindplace
Bupa has committed to investing around £140 million to open 200 Mindplace dedicated mental health centres worldwide by the end of 2027, making high-quality mental healthcare accessible to more people. Mindplace will offer walk-in services, as well as appointments and therapy programmes - including cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling - all delivered by qualified professionals. Fifty Mindplace centres across five countries will be open by the end of 2025, supporting people to take a proactive approach to managing their mental health and wellbeing.
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Notes to Editors
About Bupa
Established in 1947, Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 60 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology
1 Bupa, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, surveyed 500 active company founders across five global markets: Australia, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The survey was fielded in October 2025 and was conducted via online methodology.
