Research from Bupa has revealed that Australian business founders are implementing proactive mental health strategies at higher rates than peers in other developed nations, although substantial gaps remain between intention and action – a trend with implications for life and income protection insurers.
A Bupa-commissioned study, in association with Oxford Economics, surveyed 500 active entrepreneurs across five countries – Australia, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US – during October 2025. The findings indicated that Australia’s entrepreneur population reports higher engagement with mental health management than counterparts elsewhere. Among the surveyed Australian business leaders, 14% reported engaging in preventative mental health practices. This compares with figures from the US and the UK, each at 6%, while Spain recorded 11%.
The variation extends to organisational implementation. Half of Australian entrepreneurs (49%) have introduced mental health support mechanisms for their workforce, compared to Poland (34%), the US (33%), the UK (28%), and Spain (22%).
Entrepreneurs also showed higher engagement with mental health management. Those projecting business growth of 10% or greater over the ensuing 12 months were twice as likely to manage their mental health proactively compared to those forecasting more modest expansion.
Despite higher rates of preventative engagement, Australian business leaders face considerable mental health pressures. Two-thirds (65%) experienced anxiety symptoms within the preceding year, while slightly more than half (54%) encountered sleep difficulties. Mood-related challenges, including persistent sadness, affected 42%, with an identical proportion reporting diminished motivation.
The occupational-related effects extended beyond symptomatology. Approximately 72% noted that workplace stress affected their capacity to disengage during personal milestones and family gatherings throughout the year. Beyond weekends, 58% indicated that work demands persistently interfered with their ability to disconnect. More than three in five entrepreneurs (61%) acknowledged that compromised mental health had reduced their leadership effectiveness.
Data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) highlights the relevance for the industry. Mental health conditions now represent nearly one-third of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims. Throughout 2024, life insurers disbursed $2.2 billion in retail claims attributable to mental health – nearly double the disbursement five years prior. Income protection claims totalled $887 million that same year. The demographic distribution indicates evolving risk patterns. Among Australians in their 30s, TPD claims associated with mental health have increased by more than 700% across the past decade.
Globally, a gap persists between acknowledging mental health importance and implementing preventative measures. Bupa revealed that two in five entrepreneurs (40%) defer mental health engagement until experiencing critical stress levels, while nearly one-fifth (17%) do not periodically assess their mental health status. Andrea Christie-David, director of mental health at 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.”
