Professionals nowadays prefer attending Zoom calls over having their full-course meal. An overflowing inbox, urgent and back-to-back meetings, and the drive to stay productive take precedence over taking real breaks. Over time, this hustle culture has blurred the line between commitment and chronic exhaustion, often sidelining mental well-being. Women are particularly prone to this loop of fatigue, writes Dr Deeksha Kalra, Consultant Psychiatrist at Artemis Hospitals.
How to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace
The willingness to acknowledge stress at work signals a positive shift and also highlights the need to create safe, supportive spaces where everyone feels empowered to prioritise their mental health, adds Dr Deeksha Kalra. This is how it can be started:
1) Recognise Burnout
Stress, though common, is not always harmless and signs of burnout are often overlooked. “Long-term tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest isn’t just fatigue, it’s burnout,” Dr Deeksha Kalra explains. “Mood swings, irritability, lack of concentration, frequent mistakes, and unexplained headaches are warning signs of poor mental health, not just stress.”
When the pressure is high, you may not always notice these. Moreover, “burnout often appears as dedication,” making situations worse.
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2) Spark Mental Health Discussions
Even though talks around mental health are becoming commonplace, in many offices, it is still a stigma. That’s because “employees fear being judged or seen as weak,” observes Dr Kalra.
Perceptions trickled down through generations often discourage open dialogue, making it difficult for people to ask for assistance. However, things are beginning to shift. Dr Noel Coutinho, Co-founder, Chief Business Officer, ekincare, points to a growing understanding among companies.
“Mental health support isn’t just for those in crisis, it’s also for those wanting to sustain good mental well-being,” he notes.
3) Begin Small Habits
One doesn’t need major changes to build mental resilience. All you need is inculcating mindful tasks into your daily routine. “Frequent screen breaks, setting work-life boundaries, and mindfulness exercises go a long way,” suggests Dr Kalra. Good sleep, hydration, and unplugging on weekends can make a meaningful difference.
Dr Coutinhohighlights the importance of inclusion in well-being strategies. “Corporate well-being isn’t just about offering benefits. Many men, for instance, still hesitate to seek help because they believe they must ‘tough it out’. That mindset needs to shift.”
What’s The Way Forward?
According to a report, women at India Inc are three times more likely than men to seek mental health support, reflecting a growing awareness among them about the importance of emotional well-being, notes Dr Kalra.
As for the companies, they can take the following practical steps to foster workplaces where one’s mental health can be taken care of:
- Train managers to recognise burnout
- Offer flexible work hours
- Normalise real breaks
- Make space for empathy and open conversations
“While long hours may boost performance metrics, protecting mental health ensures people can sustain that performance over time. It’s time to rethink what true productivity really looks like,” wraps up Dr Deeksha Kalra.
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