A recent report by 1to1help reveals a concerning surge in mental health challenges among employees, particularly younger professionals. According to the State of Emotional Well-being Report 2024, anxiety levels are alarmingly high among employees under 25, with over 90% experiencing anxiety, compared to 67% among those over 45. The study underscores the urgent need for structured mental health support in workplaces.
The report on challenges around workplace mental health, based on 83,000 counselling sessions, 12,000 selective screenings, and 42,000 assessments conducted from January to November 2024, finds that mental health concerns have risen to 15%, becoming one of the top two concerns for employees reaching out for counselling.
More corporate employees are now turning to professional help, reinforcing the necessity of management training in mental health support.
A particularly troubling finding is that 59% of employees referred by their managers showed signs of self-harm. The report also shows that employees’ dependents are more likely to commit suicide, stressing the importance of providing family members with mental wellbeing support.
While counselling related to workplace concerns comprised 11% of total counselling sessions, workplace relationship-related discussions claimed the top spot at 23%.
“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. This shows the crucial role of organizations and managers in helping employees reach the right support at the right time,” said Mahua Bisht, CEO of 1tolhelp.
Workplace Relationships & Financial Anxiety
While counselling related to workplace concerns comprised 11% of total counselling sessions, workplace relationship-related discussions claimed the top spot at 23%. The report also finds counselling uptake by men rose by 7%, with 70% of financial consultations being undertaken by men, reflecting their worries about financial anxiety and societal pressure over their role as the ‘breadwinner’ of the family.
Interestingly, despite their lower workforce representation, women accounted for 52% of all counselling sessions, indicating greater mental health awareness and utilization of available resources. Additionally, signs of depression and anxiety were more pronounced among employees under 30, likely due to stressors such as relocation, career transitions, and relationship difficulties.
The Impact of Social Media on Young Adults
To learn more, The Times of Mumbai spoke with Krupa Rathod, Psychologist and Founder of Saarthi Counselling and Training Services, who has 15 years of experience as a Mental Health Expert. She highlighted the rising stress levels among young adults, especially those between the ages of 18 and 25, pointing to social media’s influence, career concerns, and academic expectations as the main causes.
“Scrolling through an endless stream of curated content, we may start to believe that all the good things—success, happiness, and personal milestones—are happening only to others. We get caught up in the highlights of others’ lives and, in doing so, lose sight of our own progress, emotions, and growth. More concerningly, we become so consumed by external inputs that we fail to tune in to our inner voice—the instinct that guides us but is often neglected.” — Krupa Rathod, Psychologist
However, this is not a call to abandon social media, go offline, or isolate oneself. Rather, Rathod emphasizes the importance of achieving balance by making a conscious choice to redirect some of our energy and time toward ourselves.
- Take a 15-minute mindful walk—observe, breathe, and be present.’
- Engage in meaningful, uninterrupted conversations with loved ones.
- Reflect, journal, or simply sit in silence to tune into your inner thoughts.
The growing mental health challenges in India Inc underscore the urgent need for structured support, workplace awareness, and proactive management. Organizations must create a safe, supportive environment where employees feel encouraged to seek help. Mental well-being is a shared responsibility, essential for building a healthy and productive workforce.
