World Mental Health Day 2024: Healthy work environment key to nurture, boost productivity of employees, say experts

Long working hours strict deadlines highperformance expectations and job insecurity are some of the major issues at the workplace that have recently claimed several lsquoyoungrsquo lives in India The need is to develop a healthy workplace that can address these and also help boost productivity said experts on Wednesday a day ahead of World Mental Health DayWorld Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness and fight stigma related to mental health issues The theme this year is lsquoMental Health at WorkrsquoIndia has recently seen a spate of deaths due to overwhelming pressure and harassment by toxic bosses at the workplace The latest case involves Bajaj Finance manager who died by suicide due to workplace harassmentIn his suicide note the 42yearold Tarun Saxena from Uttar Pradeshs Jhansi said he ldquodid not sleep for 45 days and is under a lot of stressrdquoOn July 21 Anna Sebastian a 26yearold CA at audit firm Ernst and Young succumbed to death in Pune due to severe work pressure Her mother in a heartwrenching letter to Chairman Rajiv Memani noted that Anna lost her life due to a ldquobackbreaking workloadrdquo and ldquowork stressrdquo in just four months of joining the firmThe list is endlessldquoWorklife balance is an essential aspect of onersquos quality of life A healthy work environment helps in nurturing a healthier mindset and helps boost the productivity of the individual Mental health in the workplace is crucial for fostering a positive environment and enhancing productivityrdquo Dr Sameer Malhotra Director and Head Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket saidldquoAn empathic approach at the workplace positive reinforcement of good work healthy team dynamics rational expectations all help boost onersquos confidence and professional trust It helps foster a good feeling at work and helps boost the overall productivity of the individual and the organisation Healthy communication practices and rational allocation of roles and responsibilities help reduce overall stress levels and enhance copingrdquo he addedA recent survey by ADP India an online payroll software and HR services firm showed 76 per cent of workers in India say their work suffers because of stress and 48 per cent think poor mental health impacts their productivityOn the other hand a healthy workplace prioritises the health safety and wellbeing of its employeesldquoWork needs to be rewarding in terms of genuine social connectedness and emotional enrichment in addition to financial benefits Any work schedule imposed may be detrimental to health if not followed by appropriate relaxationrdquo Prof Nand Kumar from the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS saidThe expert noted that chronic negative stress can affect organs of the body and may precipitate related medical conditionsProf Pallab Maulik director of research and program director mental health at The George Institute India told IANS that it is crucial to keep one psychologically healthyldquoStress built over time leads to anxiety and depression and that over time and increased severity can lead to selfharm and suicide Psychological wellbeing is needed for oneself family and work colleagues Poor mental health can lead to absence from the job or poor work output which is detrimental for the individual and the jobrdquo he addedSo how to overcome stress Malhotra said no one is immune to psychiatric ailments It can affect anyone and there is a need to understand the individual with mental health concerns with empathy and learn not to be overjudgmental He also stressed the need for timely recognition and appropriate psychiatric interventionKumar suggested the CALM practice Connectivity both emotional and social Activity both physical and mental Learning new things Mindfulness and Simple deep breathing exercisesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever