Every year, October 10 is celebrated as the World Mental Health Day. With rising deaths among corporate employees, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasised mental health in workplaces.

Experts in the field believe that around 15% of salaried employees are suffering from a mental health issue.

In Gujarat, 3-4 people out of 1000 suffer from one or the other mental illness, whereas 20 to 25 people out of 1000 suffer from a mental health issue.

According to psychiatrists, the work environment at the place of employment can affect significantly one’s mental health. Working long hours, frequent night shifts, and working on holidays can lead to stress.

“People with severe mental health conditions are more likely to be excluded from employment, and when in employment, they are more likely to experience inequality at work. Being out of work also poses a risk to mental health. Unemployment, job and financial insecurity, and recent job loss are risk factors for suicide attempts,” stated a WHO report.

Dr Ajay Chauhan, superintendent at the Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad, informed that approximately 15% of the salaried employees suffer from mental health challenges. 

According to a WHO report, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year globally to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

To protect and promote mental health at work, WHO suggests training for mental health for managers, so they can recognise and respond to emotional distress in their supervisees.

It also suggests training for workers in mental health literacy and awareness to improve knowledge about the issues and reduce the stigma against the topic.

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