Mental health issues cost firms $14bn: Deloitte

POOR mental health amongst employees costs Indian companies a combined $14bn a year due to absenteeism, attrition and other reasons, Deloitte estimated in a report after surveying nearly 4,000 workers.

Mental health issues have long been a taboo in India, but rising awareness among the younger generation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have made people more conscious about their overall wellbeing.

Around 47% of those surveyed considered workplace-related stress as the biggest factor affecting their mental health, followed by financial and COVID-19 challenges. The survey was conducted between November last year and April this year and was released on Thursday.

‘Mental health-related challenges are not new to the Indian workforce, but these have come to the forefront in light of COVID-19, and a younger workforce that is open to speaking about their individual wellbeing,' Charu Sehgal, partner and Life Sciences and Health Care leader, said.

A survey said that 80 percent workers faced mental health issues in 2021.