<p>A pan-India report on mental health in the workplace has revealed that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 experienced symptoms of anxiety in 2024. In contrast, 67 per cent of those above 45 showed similar symptoms.</p>.<p>Furthermore, women exhibited higher levels of anxiety than men, with hormonal and societal factors contributing to disparity. The suicide risk among employees rose from 19 per cent in 2023 to 22 per cent in 2024, the report adds.</p>.<p>The ‘State of Emotional Well-being Report 2024’ was recently released by 1to1help, a Bengaluru-based employee assistance programme provider. <br><br><strong>Early pressure</strong></p>.<p>A 21-year-old BCom graduate recently resigned from his job at a multinational accounting firm within two months of joining, job pressure being the primary reason. “I was expected to work over 12 hours every day right from the start. I was living alone in Bengaluru. I wasn’t able to cope as I had no support system. I started developing severe anxiety,” he says. He has since returned to his hometown in Kerala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pallavi, 23, has also been experiencing anxiety since she started a new role as a content strategist at a startup in September. “My previous job was entry-level and remote. My new job is a big shift in comparison. It’s more of a managerial role. I’m not only responsible for myself but also for others. Plus, I need to be in the office five days a week and every alternate Saturday. The need to be social throughout the week gets exhausting and often induces anxiety,” she explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold"><strong>Gender struggles</strong></span></p>.<p class="bodytext">The patriarchal nature of workplaces also adds to the anxiety among women. “When a woman asks people to meet deadlines, she’s considered bossy. But if a man does the same, it’s seen to be in the best interest of the company,” shares Melissa T, a 23-year-old marketing consultant. She adds, “Despite holding senior positions, women are expected to act subservient. And if a younger woman is authoritative, her actions are considered offensive.”</p>.<p><span class="bold"><strong>Psychologists’ POV</strong></span></p>.<p>Consultant clinical psychologist Muniswamy K S says that it’s not “abnormal” for individuals to experience symptoms of anxiety when transitioning to a new phase of life. “It takes at least five years to fully adapt to any major change,” he says. A strong support system at home and work is crucial during this period. “Often younger employees face harassment and bullying from senior colleagues,” he adds. </p>.<p>Josily Achamma Mathew, a psychologist specialising in social and organisational psychology, believes that many corporate firms are not taking mental health seriously. “Recently, during a work-life balance session at a corporate firm, the management asked me to convey that work-life balance isn’t possible, and that meeting deadlines is important. Concepts like ‘Wellness Wednesday’ are often pretentious. This approach needs to change,” she states.</p>
<p>A pan-India report on mental health in the workplace has revealed that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 experienced symptoms of anxiety in 2024. In contrast, 67 per cent of those above 45 showed similar symptoms.</p>.<p>Furthermore, women exhibited higher levels of anxiety than men, with hormonal and societal factors contributing to disparity. The suicide risk among employees rose from 19 per cent in 2023 to 22 per cent in 2024, the report adds.</p>.<p>The ‘State of Emotional Well-being Report 2024’ was recently released by 1to1help, a Bengaluru-based employee assistance programme provider. <br><br><strong>Early pressure</strong></p>.<p>A 21-year-old BCom graduate recently resigned from his job at a multinational accounting firm within two months of joining, job pressure being the primary reason. “I was expected to work over 12 hours every day right from the start. I was living alone in Bengaluru. I wasn’t able to cope as I had no support system. I started developing severe anxiety,” he says. He has since returned to his hometown in Kerala.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pallavi, 23, has also been experiencing anxiety since she started a new role as a content strategist at a startup in September. “My previous job was entry-level and remote. My new job is a big shift in comparison. It’s more of a managerial role. I’m not only responsible for myself but also for others. Plus, I need to be in the office five days a week and every alternate Saturday. The need to be social throughout the week gets exhausting and often induces anxiety,” she explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold"><strong>Gender struggles</strong></span></p>.<p class="bodytext">The patriarchal nature of workplaces also adds to the anxiety among women. “When a woman asks people to meet deadlines, she’s considered bossy. But if a man does the same, it’s seen to be in the best interest of the company,” shares Melissa T, a 23-year-old marketing consultant. She adds, “Despite holding senior positions, women are expected to act subservient. And if a younger woman is authoritative, her actions are considered offensive.”</p>.<p><span class="bold"><strong>Psychologists’ POV</strong></span></p>.<p>Consultant clinical psychologist Muniswamy K S says that it’s not “abnormal” for individuals to experience symptoms of anxiety when transitioning to a new phase of life. “It takes at least five years to fully adapt to any major change,” he says. A strong support system at home and work is crucial during this period. “Often younger employees face harassment and bullying from senior colleagues,” he adds. </p>.<p>Josily Achamma Mathew, a psychologist specialising in social and organisational psychology, believes that many corporate firms are not taking mental health seriously. “Recently, during a work-life balance session at a corporate firm, the management asked me to convey that work-life balance isn’t possible, and that meeting deadlines is important. Concepts like ‘Wellness Wednesday’ are often pretentious. This approach needs to change,” she states.</p>