At the Social Innovation Hub (SIH), we know that entrepreneurship can be rewarding—but also isolating, stressful, and overwhelming. Mental health matters, and Change Can’t Wait. So, we took action.
With support from Collectively Tangled and the City of Calgary, the Social Innovation Hub launched the Change Can’t Wait pilot to integrate mental health support into entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Here’s the Impact:
- 37 hours of program-funded therapy were accessed.
- 66 people attended live workshops on mental health and resilience.
- 29 staff received expert consulting sessions.
And most importantly, change didn’t wait—entrepreneurs got the support they needed.
A key outcome of this pilot is the Change Can’t Wait Playbook, a practical guide for embedding mental health support into entrepreneurial spaces.
Key Insights
- 41% of participants engaged in therapy for the first time, reinforcing the need for accessible mental health support in the entrepreneurial space.
- 69% sought support for financial stress, making it the top mental health concern. We recognize this challenge and actively work to reduce the financial burden of entrepreneurship. SIH members gain access to workshops, expert advising, member services, and subsidized programming at a fraction of the actual cost—providing vital support without adding financial strain.
- 69% cited cost as a barrier to seeking care, further emphasizing the need for affordable and integrated mental health resources within entrepreneurial ecosystems. In response, we’re working on expanding our offerings in the coming year—for founders to have continued access to drop-in mental health.
- 81% rated their stress levels 7 or higher (on a scale of 1-10), with 31% experiencing extremely high stress—highlighting the pressure entrepreneurs face daily.
- 41% attended more than one therapy session, showing a continued need for mental health support beyond a single touchpoint.
These findings reinforce why spaces like the Social Innovation Hub exist—to support entrepreneurs at every stage, providing resources that not only help their businesses grow but also ease the personal and financial pressures of entrepreneurship.
How You Can Support or Get Support
Connect with the Social Innovation Hub
For entrepreneurs and founders interested in how we are working to support mental health, or for more details about upcoming programs and events, please contact the Social Innovation Hub. And consider becoming a member.
Connect with Collectively Tangled
If you’d like to discuss the results of the Change Can’t Wait pilot or explore next steps, reach out to Collectively Tangled to schedule a time to connect.