By Seema Kumar and Prachi Raturi
The recent case of two corporate employees succumbing to work stress has once again raised serious concerns about workplace culture in India. The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old audit executive at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, and the sudden demise of a deputy vice-president at HDFC Bank in Lucknow due to excessive workload have sparked outrage. These unfortunate incidents highlight the mental health crisis in corporate India, where the pressure to meet high demands often takes precedence over employee well-being. The urgency to address workplace mental health and foster a healthier work-life balance has never been clearer.
These incidents serve as painful reminders of why mental health needs continuous attention – not just on specific occasions but every day. October 10 is World Mental Health Day, and the World Health Organization (WHO) sums up the objective of the day well when it says, “The day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.” The recent losses at EY and HDFC Bank painfully illustrate the urgent need for these discussions to move beyond just one day and be part of a continuous effort to improve workplace mental health.
However, mental health and well-being need to be an ongoing discussion and process not left to be observed on just one day and forgotten for the rest of the year. A continuous process toward better mental health ensures a happier and healthier life in every sphere – personal and professional.
A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that 42.5 per cent of corporate employees suffer from depression or general anxiety disorder due to work-related stress. Despite this high figure, in India, 80 per cent of people with mental health issues do not seek help due to stigma, as reported in the National Mental Health Survey (2015-16). A 2016 study of over 6,000 employees across Indian cities found that 80 per cent of respondents showed signs of anxiety, while 55 per cent showed signs of depression. The same study revealed that the risk of suicidal behaviour nearly quadrupled between 2008 and 2016. In fact, the WHO estimates that globally, depression and anxiety cost the economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
Every working professional knows that workplace stress is real. That hasn’t changed over the years, but what has changed is employers’ interest in keeping their employees in better mental health. Yet, there is still a long way to go before all companies adopt a mindset that genuinely supports mental healthcare. An Optum Health International study (2019) found that out of India’s 1.1 million registered companies, only 1,000 have a structured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for mental health. This leaves a vast majority of corporate employees without proper mental health support.
Unfortunately, mental health in Indian corporate culture carries a stigma. According to the Lancet Psychiatry Commission, employees often avoid seeking help due to fear of being labelled weak or incapable. Another key issue is the lack of awareness. Many employees do not recognise the early signs of mental health problems and are unaware of the resources available to them. This leads to underreporting and untreated conditions.
Key stressors
Intense workload and long hours, especially in industries like IT and consulting, are common today. The growing demands of the job, combined with tight deadlines, often lead to stress and burnout. A report by the 7th Fold (2020) found that 36 per cent of Indian employees were suffering from mental health challenges, with conditions worsening post-COVID.
Financial stress is another major contributor to workplace anxiety. During the pandemic, 63 per cent of Indian employees experienced stress due to financial strain, according to a PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey (2021). Another contributor to workplace stress is sleep deprivation. A study by Assocham (2015) found that 38.5 per cent of private-sector employees reported sleeping less than six hours a night.
Ignoring mental health leads to decreased productivity, job dissatisfaction, and physical ailments. According to Deloitte India, mental health problems result in a $1.97 billion loss in productivity annually. Absenteeism and presenteeism (where employees are physically present but mentally disengaged) are major contributors to this loss. Physical health problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes frequently arise from chronic stress, further increasing financial and productivity losses.
Gender disparity is another critical issue. Women, especially those breaking the glass ceiling, often face additional pressures at work. A study found that women in corporate leadership roles face exclusion and higher demands to prove their worth, contributing to burnout. Gender roles also play a part, with many women juggling both professional and domestic responsibilities, significantly adding to stress.
Constant connectivity and social media have worsened stress levels, especially for younger generations. Studies link the overuse of technology to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The rise of contractual and gig-based work has also increased job insecurity, adding further stress for many employees.
Solutions and interventions
The solutions are clear but require action. Companies need to acknowledge the problem, raise awareness, and offer mental health support. Ignoring mental health issues is not the way forward. Rather, talking about it and seeking help can go a long way in maintaining good mental health and well-being.
According to WHO, “Mental health is a basic human right. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence, and inclusion in the community.”
EAPs have shown promise in addressing workplace stress. A report from the Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2024) noted that companies implementing EAPs saw reductions in absenteeism and increased productivity.
Telemedicine and online therapy have become increasingly popular, offering flexible options for employees to access mental health support. A study in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare found that telemedicine significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Training managers to recognise signs of mental distress is crucial for creating supportive work environments. A study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine emphasised the importance of empowering managers to address mental health issues within their teams.
Work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible work arrangements, have been linked to higher employee satisfaction and reduced stress. Research from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that companies promoting work-life balance see improvements in productivity and overall well-being.
Much has changed in workplaces, but there is still more to be done. The hope is that mental health discussions continue without reservations, just like conversations about physical health. The tunnel is not all dark; there is a small light beginning to show at the end of it!
Seema Kumar, Editor-in-Chief and Prachi Raturi, Managing Editor are both co-founders of The Mind Diaries, a bi-monthly magazine on mental health and well-being.
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