9TH October, 2024: World Mental Health Day 2024, observed on October 10, emphasizes the importance of mental well-being and advocates for increased awareness and support for mental health issues globally. This year’s theme focuses on the critical role of community support in fostering mental resilience. As mental health challenges continue to rise, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, communities are encouraged to come together to provide understanding, resources, and assistance to those in need.
Various organizations and mental health advocates are organizing events and campaigns to promote open conversations about mental health, reduce stigma, and highlight available resources. Workshops, webinars, and community activities aim to engage individuals and foster a sense of belonging and support. By emphasizing the power of community in mental health, the observance of this day seeks to inspire collective action and encourage individuals to prioritize their mental well-being.
Rahul Sahay, Senior Vice President- HR, Virtusa Corporation
“On World Mental Health Day 2024, with the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,’ we emphasize the critical need for mental well-being in professional settings. At Virtusa, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of empathy, support, and open communication. Through initiatives that destigmatize mental health, provide expert counseling, and offer stress management resources, we create an environment where individuals can flourish. By creating a supportive, inclusive, and engaging work culture, we also empower our employees’ mental health, where every individual feels valued, motivated, and equipped to excel professionally and personally. Providing a safe, secure, and healthy workspace for our workforce is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring they thrive in every aspect of their journey with us.”
Rohan Sylvester, Talent Strategy Advisor at Indeed India
“At Indeed, we know how important mental well-being is, especially in today’s always-on world. With work spilling into personal time, stress and burnout are real concerns. In fact, according to our recent survey, 88% of employees surveyed say they’re contacted outside work hours, and 85% even when they’re on sick leave or holidays. Many worry that ignoring these messages could hurt their career growth. However, 79% of Indian employers think a “right to disconnect” policy would be a step in the right direction.
Setting boundaries between work and personal life is more than a nice gesture—it’s essential for protecting mental health. By fostering a healthier work culture, businesses can not only reduce burnout but also show employees they care about their well-being. This will lead to happier teams and stronger retention.”
Mr. Sushant Roy, Co-founder, COO and CBO at Alyve Health
“As we observe World Mental Health Day, it is an appropriate moment to reflect on the vital role that mental health plays in our workplaces. In this fast-paced, changing environment with increasing demands, the well-being of employees has never been more critical. Recognizing and addressing mental health challenges not only enhances individual lives but also strengthens organizational culture and productivity.
Creating an environment where open conversations about mental health are encouraged is vital. In our experience, we have found that engaging employees in activities that directly promote stress relief and mental well-being, such as mindfulness practices and self-care exercises, has a more lasting impact than purely informational sessions.
Moreover, integrating mental health initiatives into employee benefits is crucial. Organizations should consider offering services such as counselling, wellness programs, habit coaching, mental health workshops and mindfulness sessions. These resources empower employees to take charge of their mental health and create a more resilient workforce.
As we observe this day, let us commit to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the workplace. Together, we can build a supportive environment where every employee feels safe to express their needs without fear of judgement. Investing in mental health is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative that leads to improved performance and retention.”
Mr. Krishna Veer Singh, CEO & CO-Founder at LISSUN
As we observe World Mental Health Day 2024, it’s imperative to recognize mental health’s profound impact on society. In India alone, nearly 150 million individuals need mental health care services, yet less than 30 million actively seek help. The cost of neglecting mental health is enormous, with the economic toll amounting to a staggering US$ 1.03 trillion. At LISSUN, we are dedicated to addressing this crisis by promoting awareness, acceptance, and accessibility in mental health care. Our mission is to bridge the gap by integrating with healthcare and educational institutions, bringing mental health care to individuals at their point of need. With our unique B2B2C model, we aim to address stressors such as chronic illness, workplace pressures, and academic anxiety, offering comprehensive, tech-enabled solutions. This World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to transforming mental health care, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need with dignity, affordability, and confidentiality.” –said Dr. Krishna Veer Singh, CEO & Co Founder at Lissun Mental Health Platform
Dr. Neerja Agarwal, Psychologist and Co-founder Emoneeds
Each year, World Mental Health Day serves as a crucial reminder of the mental health challenges that confront us. In India, one in every seven individuals grapples with mental disorders, often surfacing as early as age 14. Tragically, our nation has the highest suicide rate globally, now reaching an alarming 12.4 per 100,000 people—an unsettling record in our ongoing mental health crisis. This dire situation is exacerbated by a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and 0.07 social workers available per 100,000 individuals. At Emoneeds, we are dedicated to reversing these distressing trends through our innovative digital platform, designed to cater to the mental and emotional health needs of individuals. Our mission is to maximize performance, happiness, and overall quality of life. With a compassionate team of expert psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors, we provide evidence-based therapies tailored to a wide array of challenges, from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illnesses. Emoneeds is committed to transforming mental health care across India, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives. –said Dr. Neerja Aggrawal, CEO & Co Founder at Emoneeds Mental Health Platform
Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work, India
On World Mental Health Day, we must recognize that creating safe spaces for employees to express their mental health challenges is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Our research shows that one in four employees hesitate to speak about stress, anxiety, or burnout, fearing judgment. Despite the increasing availability of mental health benefits such as wellness leaves, holistic wellbeing programs and sensitization workshops—however the low utilization of the counselling services tells us there’s more work to do. As leaders, it’s crucial to create environments where employees feel supported, empowered, and unafraid to be vulnerable. A framework that includes mental health support systems, flexible work arrangements, and spaces for individuals to be their authentic self at work is key to fostering a culture of openness. When employees can bring their whole selves to work, it not only improves their well-being but also enhances engagement, productivity, and overall organizational health. Let’s commit to building workplaces where mental health is one of the key priorities of our leadership approach.
Chris George, CEO and Co-Founder of QubeHealth
We don’t call it “physical” health, so why call it “mental health”? Its ‘health’ and ‘care’ for our team members and it is incumbent upon business leaders to create a workplace that shows that they care, not discriminate and create policies and actions that treat the ‘mental’ with the same importance as the ‘physical’ health. Employees spend more time in their workplace than at home. Employers, perhaps therefore carry the burden that is higher than that of families in removing the stigma associated with mental health, while offering options that are important to their biggest assets – the people. Normalising workplace healthcare management activities – a stress and anxiety test, along with a blood test, as an example of a HR leader’s checklist for the year would be a great place to start.
Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus Crypto Platform
At Giottus, we recognise that mental health of employees is influenced by the culture we build internally. We believe in the positive correlation between mental health and the productivity at work. To ensure this, our managers and teams are encouraged to clearly segregate work and personal timings as well as account for employees’ personal needs that may spring up occasionally. We also seek periodic feedback from our employees to understand how we can make their work hours safer and meaningful.