Usually, when we hear about the issue of mental health in the workplace, it relates to employees being overwhelmed by their workloads or problems in their personal lives. The mental health and wellbeing of CEOs is less often discussed, even though all too many leaders are facing significant difficulties here – and the situation appears to be worsening.
For example, the proportion of top US executives that reported struggling with their mental health was 31% in 2022, compared with 12% in 2018. That’s according to a recent study by leadership expert Gordon Simmons, former CEO of Service Credit Union. And that’s despite the stigma associated with mental health issues potentially causing under-reporting.
A survey by Deloitte last year also found that one in three C-suite executives constantly struggles with fatigue and poor mental health. As many as 70% have considered quitting their jobs to try to reset their emotional balance.