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World Mental Health Day 2024’s theme, “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace,” serves as a powerful wake-up call to employers across the globe. As we navigate a post-pandemic world, the rising tide of workplace stress and burnout has made mental health concerns more urgent than ever. The recent tragic incident at EY (Ernst & Young) in India, where a young employee took her own life due to overwhelming workplace pressure, highlights the dire consequences of neglecting employee well-being.
This tragedy is not an isolated event. It is part of a global crisis that affects workplaces in India, the UK, the US, and beyond. The time has come to shift our approach from treating employee well-being programs as optional add-ons to making them a top priority. Companies that fail to do so not only jeopardise the well-being of their workforce but also their own long-term success.
Prioritising employee well-being at the workplace
Employee well-being programs should not be seen as optional perks, or just as a corporate social responsibility but rather, as an essential component of a thriving workplace. More companies are beginning to recognise the critical need for these programs, but progress is slow. To truly prioritise mental health in the workplace, employers need to go beyond surface-level policies and actively incorporate mental health into their daily practices. Don’t just ask how are you? Be ready to listen to how they actually are feeling.
The EY tragedy: A global wake-up call
The suicide of a young employee at EY India sparked widespread outrage and opened up conversations about the intense pressure that corporate employees often face. Despite the company’s public commitment to mental health policies, the incident revealed a much deeper issue; policies alone are not enough. They must be actively implemented and monitored and workplaces need to foster a culture where mental health is as important as performance metrics.
While EY is not the only corporation dealing with such tragedies, this incident underscored the global nature of this crisis. Whether it’s the tech giants in Silicon Valley or banking firms in London, excessive pressure, unrealistic deadlines, and the glorification of overwork and hustle culture are leaving employees burnt out, with devastating results.
Global mental health challenges in the workplace
Work-related mental health issues are becoming more prevalent, globally. In the UK, for example, a 2023 survey by Mind, a leading mental health charity, revealed that nearly 1 in 6 employees experience mental health issues due to their jobs. Stress, anxiety, and depression have become alarmingly common in the workplace, exacerbated by a lack of work-life balance and insufficient mental health support.
In the US, the American Psychological Association found that burnout was at an all-time high in 2023, with nearly 79% of employees reporting significant workplace stress. The culture of hustle, compounded by remote working and unrealistic expectations, has led to a mental health crisis that affects productivity and quality of life.
India, where the corporate culture often revolves around long hours and demanding workloads, has seen similar issues. Young professionals, particularly in high-pressure industries like IT, finance, and consulting, are increasingly reporting cases of burnout. The incident at EY is sadly not unique, overwork and high expectations are leading to mental health breakdowns across various industries.
What can employers do?
Mental Health Training: All managers could be trained to recognise mental health factors and provide appropriate support not trying to analyse or deeply get involved in it, but might help the employee to get some mental space, providing a day off, making arrangements on compassionate grounds, giving fewer tasks for the time being etc. Mental health first aid training has been gaining traction in the US and UK, and Indian companies are slowly following suit. Ensuring that supervisors are equipped to handle mental health conversations can create a more supportive environment. Following a non-judgemental and confidential space.
Work-Life Balance: Flexible work hours, remote working options, and realistic deadlines are key to reducing stress. Also considering neurodivergence, special needs and disability access. While the UK has seen an increase in flexible working arrangements, Indian and US companies are still adapting. A more agile approach to work schedules can significantly alleviate pressure.
Access to Mental Health Resources: Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), access to therapists, and wellness programs is essential. In the US, companies like Google and Microsoft have taken the lead in providing comprehensive mental health benefits. In the UK, mental health initiatives are gaining ground, but India has room for growth in this area. Employers should invest in regular mental health check-ins, and well-being workshops, and provide access to mental health professionals.
Creating a Culture of Openness: Encourage open dialogue about mental health, removing the stigma attached to it. This requires more than just policy; it demands a shift in corporate culture, where talking about mental health is seen as a strength, not a weakness. This applies across geographies, whether in a high-pressure tech firm in Silicon Valley or a consulting company in Mumbai.
Why employee well-being is a priority, not an option
Prioritising mental health in the workplace is not just an ethical responsibility; it’s also a financial imperative. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity every year. In the UK alone, mental health-related absenteeism costs employers billions each year. In the US, workplace stress is responsible for more than $300 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity annually.
India is no exception to these economic impacts. As the country continues to grow as a global economic player, addressing workplace mental health becomes increasingly urgent. Companies that fail to address mental health risk higher turnover rates, lower productivity, and long-term reputational damage.
Call to action – A global movement for 2024 and beyond
World Mental Health Day 2024 calls on us to prioritise mental health in the workplace, not just as a box to be checked but as a core value integrated into every aspect of corporate life. Incidents like the tragedy at EY in India remind us that the stakes are far too high to ignore. Companies across the globe must act swiftly and decisively to create environments where employees feel safe, supported, and valued not just for their productivity, but for their humanity.
