Companies are becoming more aware of their responsibility to promote employees’ physical and mental health as a result of the demanding nature of the corporate environment and globalization. Nowadays, a lot of businesses offer programs to assist their staff in managing stress and other mental health concerns.
Nimisha, a 26-year-old IT worker from Kochi, was suffering from extreme mood fluctuations that were affecting her relationships at work and at home. Nimisha began her quest for self-improvement by utilizing counseling via an online program provided by her workplace. She felt like a better person after ten sessions. This story demonstrates how technology can improve a person’s quality of life.
Digital care solutions were identified by the World Economic Forum in 2021 as one of the top 10 innovations that are changing the mental health environment. During the February 2022 presentation of the Union Budget for FY 2022–23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the significance of utilizing digital technologies to modernize the healthcare industry. The National Tele-Mental Health Programme, an initiative with a network of 23 tele-mental health centers of excellence, was introduced during her address with the goal of giving residents access to critical mental health support.
The appalling condition of Indian business employees’ mental health has been revealed by recent polls. According to a research by MPower, an Aditya Birla Education Trust initiative, approximately 48% of corporate employees in India are at high risk of having mental health issues. Similarly, according to a Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP poll from 2022, 47% of professionals cite workplace stress as the main issue hurting their mental health. These worries are supported by the Aon India Primary Care Benefits Report 2023, which notes that 82% of Indian businesses believe that mental health can have a major impact on business outcomes.
Technological Advancements
Also see Giving mental health first priority.
Affordable mental health services are essential.
Is it possible to de-stigmatize mental health through inexpensive therapy?
Investing in Mental Health of Workers: An Essential Step for Corporate India
Many Indian businesses are using technology to address and improve their employees’ mental health in reaction to these concerning figures. As an example, Amazon India launched the Twill Therapeutics program, which is only available to Amazon workers and gives them and their families round-the-clock access to counseling services via the Twill app.
Renowned MarTech and SaaS provider Netcore Cloud has partnered with ICICI Lombard’s IL Take Care App to provide its staff with 24/7 access to therapists. Bhavana Jain, CHRO of Netcore Cloud, highlights the company’s dedication to providing year-round mental health support and establishing a nurturing corporate culture.
Plans for Employee Assistance
Some businesses, including Bengaluru-based ABB India, have implemented employee assistance programmes. Through this program, discreet access to professional counselors is made available to all ABB employees and their families, guaranteeing a secure environment in which to voice problems. To better assist their personnel, ABB India has also started the “Are you okay?” initiative, which offers mental health awareness workshops. To support their employees’ mental health, IKEA India also provides an online employee aid program.
Growth of Startups in Mental Health
To supplement these corporate efforts, businesses focused on mental health have also arisen. Businesses like Work in Progress, Wysa, and Aumhum have used technology to offer mental health treatments. While Wysa has built an AI chatbot that provides professionals with a platform to communicate and express their feelings, Aumhum has produced an app that helps working professionals with self-care reminders and meditation.
Setting mental health as a top priority is crucial in the hectic world of corporate India. As much as talent development, businesses need to prioritize mental health. Increasing the accessibility of these materials through technology is the way to go.