Workplace mental health in India: A rising priority of real wealth in corporate culture

For many Indian professionals, the culture of overwork, coupled with societal expectations, creates immense pressure to perform. Long working hours, tight deadlines, job insecurity, and an absence of work-life balance contribute to heightened stress, anxiety, and burnout.

- DR FAUZIA KHAN

What defines the real wealth of a nation? Is it the towering skyscrapers that shape its skyline, the bustling industries that fuel its economy, or the global influence it commands? Perhaps, it's something much deeper, the well-being of its people, their minds, and their hearts. In a rapidly transforming India, where the pace of professional life is accelerating, workplace mental health has emerged as a crucial but often overlooked concern. As organisations strive for efficiency and output, the mental well-being of employees is under increasing strain. According to a survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global economy loses an estimated $1 trillion per year due to depression and anxiety alone. A study by Deloitte (2022) reveals that nearly 80% of the Indian workforce faces some degree of mental health issues, yet a mere 20% seek professional help. This alarming gap is exacerbated by the stigma associated with mental illness, inadequate awareness, and limited access to mental health services in workplace settings.

A recent tragedy in Noida has brought the issue of workplace mental health into sharp focus. A bank employee took her own life after enduring harassment from her colleagues. The deceased left behind a five-page suicide note in which she revealed how her co-workers subjected her to derogatory slurs such as "bandariya" and "dimag se pagal." In the note, she named six of her colleagues, including two managers, who allegedly contributed to her emotional breakdown. Another incident from Pune, a 26-year-old chartered accountant from Kerala, took her own life after enduring four months of immense work pressure. Her mother's powerful letter to EY India sheds light on the "callous attitude" towards employee well-being that, unfortunately, seems to be a growing concern in many workplaces today. These heartbreaking incidents highlight the toxic environments that many Indian employees silently endure, emphasising the urgent need to address mental health