90% employees under 25 report anxiety, 59% display signs of self-harm: Report

The study found that individuals under 30 were more likely to experience pronounced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

India’s corporate sector is grappling with a sharp rise in mental health challenges among employees, even as industry leaders like NR Narayana Murthy and L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocate for longer working hours and working weekends.

A comprehensive analysis of over 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 elective screenings, and 42,000 assessments conducted between January and November 2024 by 1to1help, an employee assistance programme provider, has highlighted alarming trends in workplace mental health. According to the State of Emotional Well-being Report 2024, mental health concerns have risen to 15%, making it one of the top two reasons employees seek counselling.

The report revealed that over 90% of employees under the age of 25 reported experiencing anxiety, compared to 67% of those over 45. Stressors such as relocation, career changes, and relationship difficulties were identified as key contributors to this disparity. Experts noted that younger employees require structured support, including open communication, flexible work arrangements, and clear growth opportunities, to navigate these challenges effectively.

Alarmingly, 59% of employees referred to counselling by their managers displayed signs of self-harm, underscoring the need for targeted training to help managers support distressed staff. The findings also revealed that dependents of employees face a higher risk of suicide, emphasising the importance of extending emotional well-being assistance to employees’ families.

“Our report finds that managers can play a life-changing role, as over half of the manager referrals we received involved a presence of suicidal risk,” said Mahua Bisht, CEO of 1to1help. “This highlights the critical role organisations and managers have in ensuring employees access the right support at the right time.”

Workplace-related issues emerged as a significant theme in counselling sessions, accounting for 11% of cases. However, discussions around workplace relationships were the most prominent, comprising 23% of sessions.

The report also noted a 7% rise in counselling uptake among men, who accounted for 70% of financial consultations. This reflected growing financial anxiety and societal pressures related to their perceived role as the family ‘breadwinner.’ Despite this, women disproportionately utilised counselling services, representing 52% of all sessions despite their lower workforce participation rates.

The study found that individuals under 30 were more likely to experience pronounced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to those over 45. For many younger employees, challenges such as adapting to new environments and establishing careers compounded their mental health struggles.

Additionally, the report highlighted the financial pressures employees face, with men seeking financial consultations at higher rates due to societal expectations. These trends suggest a pressing need for organisations to provide broader support systems that address both mental and financial well-being.