The High Cost of Ignoring Mental Health at Work

Did you know your workplace bears responsibility for protecting your mental well-being? Yes, it is true! WHO reports that around 12 billion working days are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy an estimated US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. 

In India, several laws in this regard, ensure that your mental health is prioritized and protected at work. Employers are expected to avoid discrimination, maintain confidentiality in all respects, provide reasonable accommodations, and consider mental health conditions.  

Around 60% of the world’s population is part of the workforce. All employees are entitled to a safe and healthy work environment. Decent work promotes good mental health by providing a livelihood, sense of purpose and fulfilment, opportunity for positive relationships, and a platform for structured routines, among several other advantages.  

Safe and healthy working environments are not only your fundamental right but also significantly reduces tension and conflicts at the workplace, and improves employee retention, employee performance, and their productivity. On the contrary however, a lack of these structures and the right support at work, especially for individuals dealing with mental health issues, can highly impact their ability to find fulfillment in their work and motivation to continue their job. Furthermore, it can also hinder your attendance at work and stop you from getting a job in the very first place.  

The Overlooked Mental Health Risks 

In the context of workplace, risks to mental health, also known as psychosocial risks, may often be related to content of the job or work schedule, particular characteristics of your workplace, as well as opportunities for career upskilling, among several other aspects.  

These risks to mental health at your workplace may include the following: 

• -Minimal use of skills or being under-skilled for your tasks 

• Excessive workload 

• Long hours of work 

• Lack of control over your job 

• Poor working conditions 

• Harassment or bullying 

• Unclear job roles 

• Limited support from team members or management 

• Discrimination and exclusion  

• Job insecurity, inadequate pay, no investment for growth 

• Conflicting work/home demands 

The law and company policies need to recognize mental health as a spectrum, the same way physical health is valued and prioritized. At a larger level, the law seems to discriminate against mental health by not prioritizing it as much as physical health has continued to be prioritized.  

Essential Policies and Employee Rights at Work 

On the brighter side, however, there are some laws and regulations aimed at ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for employees. Here are the insights: 

Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 

The Mental Healthcare act, 2017 is a comprehensive law designed to protect the rights of individuals suffering from mental illness and states the following provisions at the workplace: 

1. Non-Discrimination: All employers must ensure that employees suffering from mental illness must not be discriminated against with respect to employment terms, promotion opportunities, or any other benefits.  

2. Confidentiality: Employers are expected to maintain confidentiality of an employee’s condition of mental health.  

3. Access to Treatment: All employees have the right to access mental health services and means of treatment without having to face stigma or workplace discrimination.  

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 

Under the terms of this act, mental illness is included under the broader category of disabilities and mandates:  

4. Equal Opportunity Policy: Organizations with an employee strength of more than 20 must have an Equal Opportunity Policy, which includes provisions for employees suffering from mental health conditions.  

5. Non-Discrimination: Employers must provide reasonable accommodation and ensure that their employees suffering from mental health issues are not discriminated against.  

Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020 

Under the terms of this code, employers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for employees, which include the following conditions:  

6. Prevention of Work-Related Stress: Employers must take steps to prevent work-related stress (in any form) and provide adequate support for the mental wellbeing of employees.  

7. Health and Safety Committees: Big corporations must have health and safety committees that are designed to address mental health issues among employees.  

Best Practices for Employers 

8. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Employees have access to counselling and mental health support services.  

9. Work-Life Balance: this includes implementing policies designed to promote work-life balance. This may include flexible working hours and options for remote work.  

10. Training and Awareness: This includes conducting workshops and intensive training sessions aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing stigma in the workplace.  

It's highly important to treat mental health just as equally and without discrimination, as physical health. Companies should allow sick leave for stress, just as they do for physical illnesses like a fever. Mental health shouldn't only be acknowledged when it becomes a severe disorder but on a broader spectrum like physical health. 

All employees should be able to take a day off for mental health reasons as easily as they can for physical health, without requiring proving it's a severe condition needing attention. 

We require policies that create and raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, like laws about sexual harassment in the workplace. The Indian government requires mandatory mental health support and awareness programs in this regard. 

More and more companies should develop workplace mental health policies and supportive practices. In accordance with this, the WHO offers a module that can help employers make their workplaces more inclusive and supportive of mental health. 

In this regard, Counsel India, operating as a pioneering mental health organization, is highly dedicated to build a mentally supportive environment at the workplace, and is committed to ensure the emotional and mental wellbeing of its employees. 

Take the Next Step in Your Psychology Career with Counsel India!