Entrepreneurship and suicide

Purpose This study explores the complex relationship between entrepreneurship and suicide, addressing a critical gap in the existing literature. While entrepreneurship has traditionally been linked to various advantages, such as autonomy, self-fulfilment, and economic opportunities, it also entails significant psychological risks that can contribute to severe mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Design/methodology/approach This study employs an inductive research design, analysing web-scraped media sources on the link between entrepreneurship and suicide, including media articles from newspapers, digital news platforms, and professional and entrepreneurship websites, to create an initial understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurship and suicide. Findings The analysis reveals elevated risks among entrepreneurs and identifies key risk factors for entrepreneurial suicide: financial pressure, stress and burnout, mental health issues and their associated stigma, social isolation and loneliness, entrepreneurial identity struggles, personal traits and dispositions, and contextual challenges. The findings also suggest potential prevention and intervention strategies, including self-care, emotional and cognitive skills, destigmatising entrepreneurial mental health, increasing institutional support, and entrepreneurial support networks. Originality/value This study sheds first light on how entrepreneurship relates to suicidal risks, including suicidal thoughts, intentions and behaviours.