Transforming well-being in India's corporate landscape

In many parts of Urban India, life is like participating in an extreme obstacle course, where finding a decent maternal hospital for delivery is the first level, followed by an epic quest for an education leading up to 'a good job', dodging through the chaos of commuting, battling the real estate monster to buy a house, and surviving the annual monsoon apocalypse.?

It's a rollercoaster of hardships that would make even the Avengers break a sweat.?

Now, when someone talks about mental health, depression, or anxiety, most Indians react like they've just heard a cosmic joke. They collectively go, "What on earth are you blabbering about?" They roll their eyes and say, "Oh, come on!

That's not a problem. It's just Monday being Monday."

Those who bring up mental health are often labelled as weak, misfits, or “losers making excuses.” Unfortunately!

Reality is so different from the perspective that people have about mental health. Mental health is no longer just another punchline.?

• 1 in 4 people globally have a mental health issue at some point in their life.
• 1 in 10 Indians have a mental health condition, and 1 in 20 Indians have depression. Nearly 150 million Indians need mental health care services, but fewer than 30 million are seeking care.
• Besides, the Indian Journal of Psychiatry reports that there are only 0.75 psychiatrists for every 100000 patients in India. The journal said a desirable ratio would be 3 to 100000, which is four times the existing capacity.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------??Mental health is no longer some touchy-feely, new-age hogwash that can be dismissed as an imaginary problem. 47% of professionals surveyed consider workplace-related stress as the biggest factor affecting their mental health.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Mental health and workplace stress?It is estimated that mental health issues cost Indian employers about $14 billion per year because of absenteeism, lower productivity, and attrition.[4] Moreover, 80% of India's workforce reported mental health issues during the past year. Despite these alarming numbers, the report said social stigmas around mental health issues prevented 39% of the affected respondents from taking steps to manage their symptoms.????----------------------------------------------------------------------------??Mental health issues cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------The Zuci approach to handling stress?We understand that stress management and self-care are essential for all Zucians. Investing in well-being can yield numerous benefits for the employees and the organization. So, we decided to look at the right places and make well-being a part of the organizational culture, amplifying its significance to employees. We onboarded experts to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to Zucians, and we named the initiative Happy Minds.?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------??Happy Minds looks at holistic well-being that includes a person's physical, mental, emotional, legal, and financial aspects.?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------What does Happy Minds do???
• Offers individual counseling, assessments, referrals, and follow-up services to employees with personal and professional problems.?
• Addresses all issues that affect employees' health and well-being, including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Extend assistance to the family members to make it inclusive and holistic.

Through Happy Minds, we conduct assessments and workshops periodically, offer personalized and confidential counseling, and provide referrals for financial, legal, and health programs. This helps Zucians manage their mental health issues proactively.?

At Zuci Systems , we understand the prevalence of mental health issues in the workplace, and we consciously decided not to brush them under the carpet. We decided to address them, and Happy Minds is a result of the need to address it proactively and talk about it openly.?

Happy Minds addresses it in the following ways:??

1. Focus on holistic well-being:?Encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health.??

2.???? Mental health prioritization:?Conduct awareness sessions and foster a supportive culture.?

3.???? Inclusive well-being:?Initiatives are designed to cater to diverse needs, considering gender, age, and cultural differences.?

4.???? Workplace culture and support:?We discuss it openly and have evolved policies to create a healthy and supportive work environment.

5.???? Improvise well-being:?Our metrics and measurements help refine and tailor initiatives based on employee feedback and outcomes.?

6.???? Focus on preventive health:?Includes health screenings, preventive healthcare education, and initiatives to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

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??The well-being landscape in India's corporate workspace is evolving to encompass a more inclusive definition of employee well-being.

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?We at Zuci recognize the interconnected nature of physical, mental, and emotional health and are adapting our strategies to create a supportive and thriving environment.??

References:

1. According to a WHO report
2. As per a study by NIMHANS
3. Report by Indian Journal of Psychiatry
4. Based on an exhaustive survey by Deloitte

Photo by?Elisa Ventur?on?Unsplash