Why I've Integrated Mental Health into the Heart of My Business (And Why You Should Too)

6 ways to integrate mental health into your business practise

Despite a lot of progress over the past few years with regards to mental health in the workplace and the importance of mental wellbeing, I still see posts and articles on LinkedIn that glorify hustle culture and burnout.

When I first started my business in August 2023, I was determined to make it succeed (mostly as a huge middle finger to everyone who ever doubted me!) and I thought I was self aware enough to be able to manage both my mental health and my business at the same time.

But by the time I reached my 1 year business birthday I was so deep in a mental health relapse that I didn't even notice I'd hit the milestone.

I was too ill to celebrate the achievement and had to take 2 months off work to recover.

Granted this relapse had a huge health factor to it that effected my mental wellbeing, but I didn't want that to happen again.

I set out to forge a different path for my business; one where mental health isn’t an afterthought but a foundation. It isn't a tick-box luxury for me to include mental health in my business DNA, it's essential.

If I don't make my mental health as much of a priority as my clients, or my finances, then there won't be a ME to run the business.

This isn’t about creating a business that looks good on paper. It’s about embedding mental health into how I work, communicate, create, and connect.

Here’s what that looks in practice and why I believe it’s time this became the norm, not the exception.

Capture & Connect: Photography Walks with a Purpose

The Capture & Connect photography walks are about more than just practising your photography skills.

They’re creative, supportive, and non-judgemental spaces where people can come together, slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.

These walks aren’t about technical photography skill; they’re about presence, mindfulness, and community. The camera becomes a tool for grounding, not just for capturing.

Mental health is woven into creative challenges that are given to attendees to encourage them to explore the woodlands in a new light and facilitate meaningful conversations.

Giving Back: 5% to Northamptonshire Mind

Supporting local mental health initiatives is something I knew I wanted to do with my business.

I donate 5% of all sales to Northamptonshire Mind, a cause that is doing valuable work to support those who are experiencing mental health struggles.

I have woven this into all of my contracts so that my clients know that our work is always part of something bigger.

Business Values That Centre Well-Being

My business values aren’t just words on a page, and this is something I preach in every Building Better Brands Workshop that I host.

My business values are representative of me, how I want to show up in the world, and the basis of which I make all my decisions.

Resilience.

Authenticity.

Joy.

Kindness.

These are not buzzwords, they are daily reminders: to be real, to find light where we can, to bounce back when we fall, and to treat ourselves and others with softness.

Work That Works for Me (and My Mental Health)

I generally don’t start work before 10am.

I've realised that it can take me a while to get going in the morning, especially if I'm in a lot of pain or having a bad mental health day. I'm tired of feeling guilty for not spending every waking moment chained to my desk.

So I give myself the grace to start at a time that suits me, take breaks when I need them, take the afternoon to myself if I can't focus.

This way when I do sit down to work I am doing so in a better mental and physical state. I will ultimately be more productive, less anxious, and less likely to burn out.

I also say “no” when a potential project doesn’t align with my values, and I only work with people who feel aligned with my mission and vision.

Working on projects that do not contribute to your wishes for the future, or with people that do not work in a way that compliments you will drain your energy, leave you creatively unfulfilled, and make you miserable.

Don't do it.

Every Interaction Is an Opportunity to Lift Someone Up

One thing that helped my recovery from my relapse was the support I got from the people around me, including very understanding clients.

Every interacting we have with another person can make or break your day and theirs.

Whether I’m emailing a client, leading a workshop, or chatting on Instagram, my approach is always the same: supportive, kind, encouraging. Because I know how important it is to be on the receiving end of that.

My goal isn’t just to deliver a service, it’s to leave people feeling seen, safe, and a little more confident in themselves.

Open Communication: Sharing the Real Stuff

I talk about my own mental health on social media... a lot.

I don't do that because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.

There’s still so much stigma around mental illness, especially in the workplace and what it means for "professionalism", so I believe that being open about my journey can help others feel less alone.

Every freelancer I've spoken to has told me that their first year involved some sort of mental breakdown because they all tried to take on too much at once. We need to talk about this more so that others don't fall into the same traps we did.

It’s not always polished or perfect, but it’s real. And in that realness, we make space for connection and healing.

Final Thoughts: Mental Health Has Never Been a Trend, It Has Always Been a Responsibility

Mental health in business shouldn’t be a PR move, or only brought into effect AFTER an employee has opened up about their suffering.

It is preventative, and it demonstrates that you are serious about the people you work with. Not just your employees, but your suppliers, clients, and yourself.

It should be standard practice. Whether you’re a freelancer, a CEO, or just getting started, I encourage you to think about how you can weave care, compassion, and conscious choices into your work.

Because when we take care of ourselves, we do better work.

And when we care for each other, we build stronger, more sustainable businesses, communities, and lives.

Thank you for joining me!

My Capture & Connect Photography Walk will be returning in June 2025. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on the exact date and location on my LinkedIn, or sign up to my Frazzled Minds Photographers Newsletter for first access to tickets.

If you would like to find out more about my workshops and creative work, then contact me here or email me at hello@emmaanniecolton.com

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