Content Creators Are Twice as Likely to Deal With Intrusive Thoughts

Published: November 19, 2025

By Michaela Gordoni

Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know wrestles with intrusive thoughts, please reach out to the crisis lifeline at 988.

A new study by Creators 4 Mental Health discovered that content creators are twice as likely as the average U.S. adult to have suicidal thoughts.

Creators aged 18 to 24 were most likely to have suicidal thoughts, TheWrap reported. About 62% of full- and part-time creators experience burnout, 65% report obsession over content performance and 69% report financial insecurity.

“Creators are not just influencers — we’re small business owners, entrepreneurs and digital gig workers building a new economy,” said Shira Lazar, creator and founder of Creators 4 Mental Health. “We’re doing the work of entire teams without the protections traditional workers receive. If this is the new workplace, mental well-being can’t be an afterthought — it has to be part of the foundation of this industry, with real support and care as it grows.”

More than half (58%) of creators said their self-worth drops when content underachieves. And 43% noted that they feel isolated even though they are always online. Many creators are self-employed, and for many, they have to stay online to work, which can further loneliness.

Almost 70% of creators say their income is unpredictable, a factor that can also contribute to anxiety and depression. Nearly 60% said they struggle with income from brands and want transparent pay rates.

Those who have been content creators for five years or more had the highest rates of burnout, stress and financial instability. Just 8% of creators said their mental health was excellent. For those who have been creating for five years or more, the number is 4%, Fast Company reported.

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Self-employed creators oftentimes don’t have any mental healthcare or workplace benefits, which can contribute to poorer mental health.

“Creators are the new workforce of the digital age, doing the work of entire teams without support and protections,” said Lazar. “This study is a wake-up call for platforms, brands, and policymakers to treat creator mental health as a workforce issue, not a personal problem.”

In a slightly different branch from creators, entrepreneurs (72%) also suffer high rates of mental health issues.

“There is no reliable data on suicide rates or suicidal ideation among entrepreneurs, although some have suggested that founders are two times more likely to have suicidal thoughts,” said entrepreneur psychologist Dr. Sherry Walling.

Dr. Walling attributes this to entrepreneurs often working alone, prioritizing performance over health, carrying too many responsibilities and having mainly work networks instead of close friend and family networks.

Whether one is an entrepreneur, freelancer or other type of creative, it’s important to keep mental health and socialization a top priority.

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