It was over a gourmet coffee that the Tête Première program and its partners launched, on February 17th, nine podcasts specifically designed to address mental health in the entrepreneurial environment. This initiative aims to raise awareness about mental health issues among entrepreneurs and leaders, normalize the realities experienced in the field, encourage entrepreneurs to take action and seek help, and equip those who support them on a daily basis.

Two Complementary Themes

To offer a comprehensive perspective, the nine podcasts, created as support and prevention tools for our region, are divided into two distinct categories: experts who advise | entrepreneurs who share their experiences. The experts set the framework. The entrepreneurs put words to reality. Together, they create a space where people can finally recognize themselves.

These episodes are not just inspiring content; they are genuine prevention and support tools, designed to be used concretely by entrepreneurs and those who support them in our region.

Five Expert Podcasts, Presented by Desjardins

The expert podcasts feature recognized mental health professionals. They share practical strategies, stress management techniques, advice for preventing burnout, and tools for navigating periods of economic uncertainty.

These five podcasts, made possible thanks to the support of the Caisses Desjardins de la Mauricie, emphasize the importance of nurturing one’s mental health, especially as an entrepreneur.

The topics covered are:

• Work-Life Balance: Dr. Stéphanie Austin, Ph.D. Psychology, M.Sc. Epidemiology, Full Professor in Human Resources Management | School of Management, UQTR
• Mental Health Management and Stress Management: Marie-Ève Landry, M.Ps., Psychologist for Entrepreneurs
• Isolation: Félix-Antoine Desruisseaux, Ph.D., Work and Organizational Psychologist
• Emotion Management: Nicolas Hardy, Psychosocial Worker, Specialized in Organizational Development

These five mental health expert episodes are now available on the Tête Première website.

“At Desjardins, our priority is to contribute to a strong and healthy community. Our entrepreneurs play an essential role, but their reality is often demanding. Being a partner in this initiative was therefore a natural fit for us, as it helps to better understand what our entrepreneurs are experiencing and offers them concrete tools to face the challenges they may encounter,” says Éric Fortier, General Manager of Caisse Desjardins du Centre-de-la-Mauricie.

Ambassador Testimonials

The four entrepreneur podcasts offer an authentic dive into the daily lives of entrepreneurs who are also ambassadors of the Tête Première program. By sharing their personal challenges, victories, and lessons learned about their own mental well-being, they break down taboos and encourage mutual support.

The Tête Première Program was designed around a deep conviction: behind every business, there is a human being who carries responsibilities, decisions, ambitions… but also doubts, pressure, and sometimes loneliness. It is therefore with great gratitude that the program presents today the five entrepreneurs who agreed to share their experiences:

• Angélica Morisette – Centre de Peinture Déco | La Tuque
• Christian Béland and Marie-Claude Fournier – Charcuterie lignée RR2 | Mékinac
• Charles-Mathieu “Chuck” Larin – Luma L’Univers Martial Ancestral | Shawinigan
• Francis Laneville – Produits Bellerive | Maskinongé

“Entrepreneurs’ and leaders’ mental health is not a secondary issue. It is at the heart of business sustainability, leadership quality, and the economic vitality of our region. Our mission is precisely to prevent, raise awareness, and provide tools, by making these issues accessible, concrete, and guilt-free,” says Tête Première Project Manager, Sherley Dubé.

Committed and Essential Partners

This initiative is the result of exceptional collaboration. The Fonds de développement économique LaPrade St-Maurice would like to sincerely thank:

• the mental health experts who agreed to share their knowledge with authenticity;
• the entrepreneur ambassadors who had the courage to testify about their journey and challenges;
• the Caisses Desjardins de la Mauricie for their support in producing the expert episodes;
• the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the cities of Shawinigan, La Tuque, Trois-Rivières and the MRCs of Maskinongé, Mékinac and des Chenaux who support the implementation of the Tête Première program.

Distribution

In addition to being available on the Tête Première website and various platforms, these episodes will be made available to the region’s entrepreneurial, educational, and community sectors to raise awareness among future entrepreneurs and self-employed workers, provide support for entrepreneurial paths and employability, and make available an accompaniment, prevention, and referral tool for use in workshops, meetings, training sessions, or events.

About Tête Première

Initiated in Shawinigan following the publication of studies highlighting the mental health and psychological issues of entrepreneurs, the program, which offers mental health support and awareness services for entrepreneurs, was expanded to all of Mauricie in October 2023 thanks to the Regional Outreach Support component of the Regions and Rurality Fund of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and all the cities and MRCs in the region.

For information or to view the Tête Première podcasts, visit tete-premiere.ca.