This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is ‘Mental Health at Workplace’.
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10 every year, aims to spread awareness about mental health issues and promote a healthy mind and body. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health at Workplace’. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year.”
Workplace-related mental health issues could be linked to some form of discrimination, harassment, etc., that leads to stress, depression, and anxiety among employees. And poor mental health could also lead to prolonged absence from work, attrition, and low performance.
According to a study titled “A Comprehensive Analysis of Mental Health Problems in India and the Role of Mental Asylums”, published in the Cureus Journal in 2023, mental health disorders in India have increased in recent years and around 15 per cent of India’s population is grappling with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar, substance, and neuro-development disorders, or schizophrenia.”
The study says the burden of mental health issues on individuals, families, and society is immense, leading to reduced life quality and impaired functioning, with significant economic and social consequences. Social and cultural factors, such as stigma, discrimination, gender inequalities, poverty, rapid urbanisation, and cultural beliefs surrounding mental illness, further exacerbate the challenges of addressing mental health problems in India, it says.
While there is no stigma around seeking help for any physical health issue, when it comes to mental health, the problem goes unnoticed, and many people don’t report it due to the social stigmas attached to it. Until help is sought, the problem does not solve itself. Ignoring the issue or delaying professional help can make the situation worse.
It can cause premature death, productivity loss, chronic mental disorders, etc., according to another study titled, ‘Delay in Seeking Mental Health: Concept Analysis”, published in the International Journal of Neurological Nursing in 2019.
As per WHO, people with mental health issues need support. Lack of support can hurt their self-confidence, work capacity, and cause absenteeism. Creating a supportive environment with the right workplace policies and providing training or support from mental health experts can immensely help employees and improve their involvement in work.
Talking about the reasons of mental health issues, Cynthia Gokhale, director, marketing and corporate communication, ManpowerGroup, a workforce management solutions company, says, “Common contributors to declining mental health include unrealistic expectations, tight deadlines, increased workloads due to staff turnover, and office politics. Given that we spend approximately 70 per cent of our waking hours at work, any positive or negative experiences in this setting can profoundly affect our well-being.”
She adds, “Corporations have made considerable advancements in enhancing the mental wellbeing of their employees, particularly as this issue gained prominence during the COVID pandemic. Initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive workplace environment, providing access to mental health resources such as consultations with counselors and therapists, organizing yoga sessions, facilitating open discussions, and implementing flexible work arrangements have been progressively developed. These efforts are essential in promoting work-life balance and will remain a priority for most organizations moving forward.”
While organisations can do their part, at an individual level, one should seek support from family members, friends, or anybody one can trust and experts if needed. Like physical health, one must take care of their mental health. One must learn how to handle stress. For instance, saying ‘No’ when necessary, taking breaks when it feels overwhelming, and sharing issues with trusted ones.
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) in collaboration with various stakeholders across the globe has been organizing the World Mental Health Day since 1992.