Mental health India statistics demand immediate attention from leaders and managers for several reasons. Mental health isn't merely the absence of illnesses; it's the cornerstone of overall well-being and productivity. Why do leaders overlook this fundamental aspect that affects every individual's functioning?

India, with its massive population and diverse communities, faces a significant mental health challenge that can't be ignored. These mental health issues don't discriminate; they cut across various age groups, backgrounds, and regions. The impact? It leads to personal struggles, hampers everyday life, and piles up workplace and societal costs. 

Leaders need to understand that mental health concerns are not isolated incidents but rather pervasive challenges that demand immediate action.

Who do mental health issues and illnesses impact?

Individuals struggling with mental health problems face immense personal distress, and these conditions often impede their ability to lead fulfilling lives and even work. 

They may encounter difficulties maintaining relationships, pursuing employment or education opportunities, and even participating in simple social activities. 

The rise of mental health disorders in India and their impacts necessitates a comprehensive understanding of different challenges. 

Some of the most commonly observed mental health disorders in India are conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.

So, addressing these and other mental health issues becomes crucial not only for the well-being of the affected individual but also for the overall progress and development of the company/business.

Let's take a look at some other mental health India statistics. According to a 2022 survey, 59% of Indian employees reported experiencing depression. Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and irritability were other common mental health symptoms experienced by them.

What's more, about 33% said that they continued working despite mental health issues. On the other hand, only 29% of employees took leave to take care of their mental health.

Ignoring mental health in the workplace comes with a high cost!

In India, multinational companies have made significant strides in leveraging the workplace to encourage better, healthier habits that benefit both themselves and their employees, as well as the local communities they serve. There are different notable employee well-being programs in India. For example, companies such as ICICI Lombard, Capgemini India, Oyo, Google India, American Express India, etc, offer mental health counseling by outsourcing services under employee assistance programs. 

While the specific outcomes of these programs in India haven't been publicly disclosed yet, they hold the potential to prevent employees from reaching a breaking point. 

Here are some important mental health statistics in India worth mentioning: The global literature highlights that employee wellbeing programs (with a focus on mental health promotion) have been proven to be cost-saving.

For example, companies save anywhere between $3 to 15 for every 1$ spent on workplace mental health programs. Alarmingly, the World Health Organization estimates the total economic loss due to mental health conditions in India, spanning from 2012 to 2030, at a staggering $1.03 trillion.

Notable mental health India statistics state that mental health issues lead to absenteeism, reduced work efficiency, and long-term disability - which negatively impact workforce productivity and economic growth.

What can managers do?

Did you know that employee well-being programs improve employee engagement significantly? These mental health India statistics should act as a wake-up call. Most importantly, these programs improve productivity and morale, and when well-being is optimized, employees focus more on their work, which leads to an increase in productivity.

So, raising awareness and mobilizing efforts to support mental health is necessary for addressing this entire situation.

To protect mental health in the workplace, WHO recommends training in mental health literacy for managers and workers. You need to teach managers how to notice and support employees going through emotional difficulties. 

This training helps them understand how work-related stress can affect mental health and how to handle it. For workers, such training focuses on boosting knowledge about mental health and reducing any negative views/stigma or misunderstandings about mental health issues at the workplace.

By training managers and workers in these ways, it helps create a workplace where people understand and support each other better when it comes to mental health concerns.

Also, you can provide:

1. Workplace accommodations: Making adjustments in the workplace to suit the needs of employees dealing with mental health conditions is important. This could mean offering flexible working hours, extra time for tasks, modifying assignments to reduce stress, allowing time off for health appointments, or arranging regular supportive meetings with supervisors.

2. Return-to-work programs: These programs help employees smoothly transition back to work after being away due to mental health reasons. They combine work-focused support, such as making reasonable adjustments or gradually reintroducing work tasks, with ongoing clinical care to help reduce mental health symptoms.

3. Engaging leadership: It's crucial for the leadership to lead the talk and prioritize mental health. This could involve incorporating mental health considerations into company policies and practices to create a supportive and understanding work environment for everyone.

Final remarks

While stigma against mental health is still prevalent in India, especially in the workplace, people are increasingly addressing it.

The MHFA India emphasizes the importance of both healthcare services and individual efforts to break the silence that surrounds mental health. 

Check out our courses from an MHFA India instructor for your workplace.