Tackling Mental Health, Suicide Risk, and Digital Balance in Modern Workplaces
1to1help, India’s leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider, has released its annual “State of Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024”. Drawing from a comprehensive dataset of over 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 screenings, and 42,000 assessments, the report highlights key mental health trends, challenges, and solutions in India’s corporate sector.
The findings reveal a significant increase in employees seeking counselling for mental health concerns, now accounting for 15% of all sessions, a notable rise from previous years. This shift underscores growing awareness and a reduction in stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.
Major Findings: A Deep Dive
1. Rising Mental Health and Workplace Concerns
Mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression constituted 15% of counselling sessions.
Workplace relationship challenges emerged as the top issue, comprising 23% of sessions, followed by workplace stress at 11%.
Workplace mental health remains a critical focus area, with organizations urged to prioritize psychologically safe environments.
2. Gender-Specific Insights
Counselling uptake among men rose by 7%, with 70% of financial anxiety consultations attributed to them, highlighting societal pressures tied to financial responsibilities.
Women, despite representing fewer employees, accounted for 52% of all counselling sessions, with 60% of sessions focused on relationship issues, reflecting the emotional burden they often carry.
3. Generational Mental Health Trends
Employees under 30 years old reported higher rates of depression and anxiety, driven by challenges like career transitions, relocation, and relationship stress.
Older employees (over 45) reported fewer issues, indicating greater personal and professional stability.
Organizations can address these disparities by fostering open communication, offering flexible work policies, and providing tailored career development programs.
4. Alarming Increase in Suicide Risk
Suicide risk cases surged by 22% compared to 2023, with 59% of manager-referred employees showing signs of self-harm. Dependents of employees also reported higher risks, emphasizing the need to extend EAP services to families.Suicide prevention remains a crucial area for intervention, requiring better manager training and robust support systems.
5. Digital Imbalance: The New Challenge
The report highlights the growing issue of digital overuse, with only 3% of employees maintaining a healthy digital balance. Many employees find it difficult to disconnect, leading to increased stress and reduced productivity.
6. Effectiveness of Counselling
1to1help’s counselling services have demonstrated remarkable success:
98% of individuals achieved their goals or made significant progress within just three sessions.
Among those screened positive for depression, 53% reported a significant reduction in symptoms, while 48% experienced decreased anxiety levels.
These findings highlight the tangible benefits of timely and structured mental health support.
Ms. Mahua Bisht, CEO of 1to1help, emphasized the critical role of organizational support, This year’s findings reaffirm the importance of mental health awareness. Our data shows counselling can significantly reduce anxiety and depression in as few as three sessions. Managers also play a vital role in identifying at-risk employees and ensuring timely intervention.
Recommendations for Organizations
The 2024 Emotional Wellbeing Report offers actionable strategies for companies to prioritize mental health:
- Training Managers: Equip managers to identify and address signs of distress or suicide risk among employees.
- Extending EAP Services: Include family members in mental health programs to create a holistic support system.
- Promoting Digital Detox: Encourage employees to unplug from devices for better work-life integration.
