Workplace and Wellness Within

Sangeetha Madhu & Aruna Laxmy

Mental health status

Workplace, a means to challenge and develop oneself, provides one with a sense of identity and meaning. The Wall street Journal (2016) indicates that the Indian youth spent an average of 52 hours a week at work, which was higher than that of other countries.According to a study conducted by the Live Love Laugh Foundation, 71% of the respondents used terms associated with stigma against mental illness. However, 87% of the respondents had an awareness of mental illness indicating awareness alongside a lack of sensitization. Bridging this gap is the need of the hour. In a study by Optum in 2016, 46% of the workforce in Indian organizations suffers from stress that requires assistance. Among these employees, two-thirds faced discrimination at work, stated a 2017 study in Indian Journal of Medical Research. Even though the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 prohibited discrimination on the basis of mental illness, organizations are not equipped enough to implement the same.

Such high numbers might lead to conjectures that adequate steps have been taken to combat the same. Reconsider this. In an interview conducted by Firstpost, employees revealed that there were no policies at workplace regarding employees’ mental health. In organizations, with policies in place, the employees were unaware of the same. Policies regarding physical illnesses and data regarding the same are collected during the induction stage; medical leave was sanctioned for physical illness but not for mental illness.

Disclosure: A dilemma

The apathy in responding to mental illnesses of employees mirrors of attitude towards mental health in general. With a sense of hesitation regarding revelation of mental health issues , employees surmise that they will be looked upon as incapable and unfit. While revelation would help in the risk reduction and promote sensitization and empathetic interactions, the chances of discrimination keeps employees at bay. In such a scenario, accommodation ,assistance from an external source and promoting a positive work culture in a safe environment will facilitate conversations on employee mental health .

What can organizations do?

A number of organizations have policies to promote mental well being. Steps from recruiting people with disabilities to providing regular assistance to employees have been taken by various private sector organizations ranging from consumer goods industries to online service providers. There aren’t adequate policies and programmes in place in some organizations. Those in place might not be well articulated or emphasized on, to be utilized by the employees.

Installation of policy level changes to reduce mental health stigma is required to successfully implement assistance programmes. With regular awareness & coaching sessions, sensitizing employees and managers, employee engagement activities, building a culture of compassion , mental health issues at work can be tackled in order to enhance well being, combat stigma and improve performance.

‘Darkness must pass

A new day will come

And When the sun shines

It will shine out the clearer ‘

JRR Tolkien