According to the survey, 80 percent of the Indian workforce have reported mental health problems.
New Delhi:
Poor mental health among employees costs Indian employers around $14 billion annually in absenteeism, lower productivity and attrition, according to the Deloitte Mental Health Survey.
Over the years, mental health problems have seen a steady increase around the world, further accentuated by the emergence of COVID-19.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for nearly 15 percent of the global mental health burden.
To analyze the current state of mental wellbeing among Indian employees, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (DTTILLP) conducted a survey titled ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace’, it said in a statement.
The survey dives into the top stressors from an employee’s perspective, along with an estimate of the annual economic cost to Indian businesses that arises from poor employee mental health.
Some 47 percent of professionals surveyed consider workplace-related stress to be the most important factor affecting their mental health, followed by COVID-19 and financial challenges.
“These stressors manifest themselves in multiple ways, affecting both the personal and professional facets of an individual’s life, often with associated social and economic costs,” he said.
The report estimates that “poor mental health among employees costs Indian employers around $14 billion a year due to absenteeism, presenteeism and attrition.”
Presenteeism is the phenomenon of going to work under mental stress and therefore performing with low productivity.
“These costs accumulate over time and are incurred when poor mental health affects how people deal with day-to-day stressors and are unable to thrive in their work environment,” the statement said.
According to the survey, 80 percent of the Indian workforce have reported mental health problems in the past year.
Despite these alarming figures, social stigma prevents around 39% of affected respondents from taking steps to manage their symptoms.
Additionally, the survey found that in the workplace, 33 percent of all respondents continued to work, despite poor mental health, while 29 percent took time off and 20 percent quit to drive. better your mental health.
Commenting on the study’s findings, Punit Renjen, global chief executive officer at Deloitte, said: “Mental health has been a real issue. The challenges of the last two years or more have put a spotlight on conversations about mental health in the worked”.
The study, he said, shows that companies must prioritize the mental health and well-being of their people.
“It is essential that senior leaders play a significant role in de-stigmatizing mental health issues within their organizations. We need to take steps to create an environment where employee wellness is prioritized and they have access to the support they need.” they need so everyone can thrive,” he said.
Adds Charu Sehgal, partner and leader of life sciences and health care at DTTILLP, that “the challenges related to mental health are not new to the Indian workforce, but they have come to the fore in light of COVID- 19, and a younger workforce who are open to talking about their individual well-being.”
Not only is the number of affected employees large, but the degree of challenge is also high, accentuated by performance-oriented cultures anchored in long and demanding work hours, economic uncertainty, and peer comparison (especially on social media platforms). , said. .
He further added that while most Indian companies have recognized the importance of employee wellness, the proportion of mental health measures in the workplace is still limited, with some sporadic events and the use of assistance programs for third-party employees.
With the generational shift we are witnessing in our workforce, employers have an opportunity to fundamentally reset and re-evaluate ways of working to address root causes and drive greater inclusion and well-being through talent-friendly policies.
“Raising awareness and destigmatizing challenges related to mental health can help employees access support early. As responsible corporate citizens, India Inc. has a responsibility to act and establish a framework to manage psychological health and wellness in the workplace and create a culture of trust to ensure long-term benefits for employees and for the organization,” he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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