New Delhi: The death of Anna Sebastian, an audit executive at Ernst & Young (EY) has shaken the corporate world in multiple ways. The reason behind Anna’s death was allegedly reported as ‘backbreaking’ work overload. The incident has raised figures on the work culture and environment that employees are working in. Work stress is real and it needs urgent attention, hence on World Mental Health Day, let’s decode how you should take care of your mental health amid extreme work pressure, while on contrary what steps should the employers initiate to give utmost importance to the mental well-being of the workers.
In a conversation on the same, Debasmita Sinha, Chief Psychologist and Clinical Director of Excellence at Manah Wellness told News9, “To protect employees from the adverse effects of chronic stress and support them through their emotional challenges at work, organizations can focus on these essential steps.”
Essential steps to take to support the mental health of employees
– Normalise conversations on mental health so that employees feel safe in reaching out
– Sensitise team leads and managers on the positive role they can play
– Create space for employees to voice their needs
– Support services such as warm and hotlines are essential in helping employees manage their mental health
– Create a culture of practising mental well-being techniques among team members, for instance, every meeting could start with a short meditation
– Educate employees on recognising their limits and training them on mental and emotional boundaries to prevent stress from escalating into burnout
How to build a healthy working environment
It is also critical to build the capacity to identify early signs of distress in themselves and others. This will help them to prevent the situation from worsening and reach out for help early.
According to Sinha, “Organisations can also implement de-stressing mechanisms in their daily workflow, such as flexible work hours, mindfulness sessions, or short breaks and creating space for mental recharge during intense projects. A well-designed program ensures employees have the tools, support, and resources needed to maintain their mental well-being.”
Work stress is real and it needs urgent attention, hence on World Mental Health Day, let’s decode how you should take care of your mental health amid extreme work pressure, while on the contrary what steps should the employers initiate to give utmost importance to the mental well-being of the workers. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
