Event

Let's Talk: Work Stress and Workplace Depression

We celebrated the World Health Day this 7th April by learning, talking and spreading awareness on depression, the World Health Day theme this year.

We watched a couple of educational and interesting videos on depression. Learned about symptoms and factors of work stress that may lead to workplace depression and how we can deal with this.

Dr. Pallab Maulik, is Deputy Director and Head of Research at The George Institute, India, and is a psychiatrist and mental health researcher, lead the event and take questions from audience on workplace depression, depression or Mental health. 

The event also focussed on talking about work stress and workplace depression with working professionals in the audience to ensure mental well-being at workplaces.

Below are some key messages from the event on Mental Health and Depression:

  • Mental Health is one of the most common health condition leading to disability in the world
  • 1 in 10 people suffer from depression/anxiety/ alcohol or drug use disorder in India
  • More than 150 million Indians are in need of treatment for mental disorders
  • Only 1 out of every 27 people needing treatment receive any
  • India has one of the world’s highest suicide rates 
  • India has only 1 psychiatrist per 3 lakh population and 1 psychologist for every 20 lakh population
  • Until last month suicide was a criminal act!
  • A major cause of this state of mental health in India is the stigma associated with mental disorders such as depressions​

Below are some key messages on Work Stress and Workplace Depression:

  • Stress at workplace is one of the many risk factors for mental health problems, but never thought of or discussed
  • Research shows that when employees feel meaningful, valued, motivated, supported, they tend to have better mental well-being.
  • This strong relationship between staff well-being and business performance is called employee engagement
  • Organizations can have financial benefits, increased productivity, reduced sick pay by looking after the mental well-being of employees, but more importantly and  fundamentally it is about doing the right thing- the moral and societal imperatives come first
  • Work stress can lead to serious anxiety problems, depression and panic attacks if not addressed for too long

Further reading