In light of these statistics, it is alarming that 42.5% of the employees in the private sector of corporate India suffer from depression or some form anxiety disorder. That’s almost every second person. Studies indicate that two-thirds of people who have suffered from depression face prejudice at work or while applying for new jobs. The World Health Organization estimates that India will suffer economic losses amounting to a staggering 1.03 trillion dollars from mental health conditions between 2012 and 2030.
In India, mental health issues are even bigger taboo than in the West. The stigmas attached to mental illnesses ensure that people sweep things under the carpet and suffer in silence instead of speaking out and seeking help. Studies shockingly show that 71% of Indians still use terminology associated with stigma and prejudice to describe mental illnesses.
According to a Wall Street Journal report in 2016, millennial Indians spend far more time at work than their counterparts in 25 other countries – 52 hours a week on average. In such a scenario, job insecurity, challenging projects, ambitious targets, tough deadlines, heavy performance pressures and the much-dreaded appraisals can all lead to elevated stress levels. Bullying, discrimination and harassment, an overtly competitive or hostile company culture, office politics and long working hours that are physically, emotionally and mentally draining lead not only to stress but also to trauma.Read More..
