For the longest time, the corporate world has downplayed the importance of mental health in the workplace. The old thinking was that employees, whatever mental health issues they were facing, should leave their issues at home and perform their work obligations to the best of their ability. It’s now clear that unhappy and stressed people can’t even complete their work efficiently and on time. That’s why forward-thinking companies are now adopting a more holistic approach that not only supports mental health, but actively cultivates it as a core part of their company culture and benefits.
Neglecting mental health comes at a high cost
Workers and businesses alike are facing a notable increase in mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, among their employees. According to the 2023 Business Group Health Survey, 44% of employers observed a sharp increase in these concerns in 2022, but that number will jump to 77% in 2023, with 16% of employers expecting a further increase in the future. Neglecting workplace mental health initiatives poses significant business risks. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety alone cost workers around the world approximately $1 trillion in lost productivity each year.
In a survey of 400,000 people reported by India Today, more than half (50.7%) of Indians aged 18-24 said they were worried or distressed by mental health issues, compared to 42.9% of those aged 25-34, 28.7% of those aged 35-44 and 17.6% of those aged 45-54.
But apart from the numbers, there is also a question for us as a society: Are we doing enough to address the mental health side effects of the cultural and economic changes our country and society are experiencing?
A multifaceted approach to supporting mental health
Start a conversation: The first thing CEOs and their executives should do is to initiate open dialogue about mental health in the workplace and eliminate the stigma around the issue. Many CEOs do this by sharing their own experiences with mental health, providing training to help managers identify potential mental health issues in their employees, and holding company-wide sessions focused on mental health education, yoga, and meditation. The goal is to create an environment where employees feel comfortable being open and vulnerable about their mental health without fear of retaliation, and are also motivated to take corrective steps in the right direction.
Prioritize work-life balance: Long hours, lack of boundaries, and an inability to disconnect from work are major causes of burnout, anxiety, and depression. That’s why CEOs are establishing policies and norms aimed at providing employees with true work-life balance. This includes offering hybrid office days, ensuring that official communication primarily happens during work hours, and company outings to experience nature and leisure. The hope is that giving employees control over their personal time will help them recharge and find a more balanced state.
Expanding mental health resources (meditation, yoga, counseling sessions, sports): In addition to facilitating dialogue and promoting balance, many CEOs are also ramping up their companies’ mental health resources and support. Common offerings today include providing meditation and yoga tools, including apps, videos, and training sessions, to all employees, as well as partial or full reimbursement for mental health promotion programs, such as meditation/yoga courses and counseling sessions. By making mental health resources readily available and affordable, CEOs remove barriers for employees to get the help and support they need. Some companies are taking detailed additional steps for employee wellness, such as counseling sessions and additional time off on a case-by-case basis, if an employee is potentially facing serious mental health issues or negative circumstances in their surroundings/family.
Foster camaraderie among team members: This is the most overlooked aspect of mental health in a company. It is a natural human tendency to feel happy and satisfied when working and having lunch or coffee with friends, not just coworkers. The idea of not having friends at work needs to be taken seriously, and a friendly environment where people can communicate freely is what makes people stay at a company for so long. It is the CEO’s responsibility to ensure that hierarchical structures within the company do not create oppression, that there are enough work and non-work commitments that small teams need to work together, and to help develop long-term friendships.
Leading through vulnerability and sharing personal experiences: In companies that take mental health seriously, CEOs lead by example by being vulnerable. Executives and managers openly discuss personal experiences and steps they’ve taken to address mental health issues, emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for caring for yourself and your teammates, and make it clear that prioritizing mental health is not only permitted but expected. The message is that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal wellness; rather, taking care of your mental health is seen as essential to coming to work at your best every day.
A cultural shift underway
But company leaders are realizing that establishing a culture of mental wellness is an ongoing effort, not just a check-box initiative. “Changing deeply ingrained attitudes takes sustained effort over time. While progress is still needed across most industries, the increased focus on employee mental health signals an important shift in how companies think about their role in supporting the overall health of their employees. Successful companies recognize that prioritizing mental wellness is not only the right thing to do, but a strategic imperative for long-term growth and sustainability.”
