THE CONTEXT: World Mental Health Day 2024 emphasizes the theme “Mental Health at Work,” highlighting the critical connection between mental health and the workplace. With approximately 60% of the global population engaged in some form of employment, addressing mental health in professional settings has become imperative.
STATUS OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN INDIA:
- The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 reported that 10.6% of adults in India suffer from mental disorders. The treatment gap ranges between 70% and 92% for different disorders.
- Mental morbidity is higher in urban metro regions (13.5%) compared to rural areas (6.9%) and urban non-metro areas (4.3%).
- As per the NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-being of School Students Survey, 11% of students feel anxious, 14% experience extreme emotions, and 43% have mood swings.
THE ISSUES:
- Risks to Workers’ Mental Health: Employees in low-paid or insecure jobs are more susceptible to mental health risks due to insufficient protection and benefits. Overwork, lack of control over tasks, and unsafe environments contribute to stress and mental health issues. Workers who feel undervalued or marginalized experience increased stress and decreased job satisfaction.
- Impact on Employees and Their Families: Employees may take time off due to stress-related illnesses, affecting their productivity and career progression. Mental health issues not only affect individuals but also place additional stress on family members and caregivers. The strain can lead to financial difficulties and emotional burdens within households.
- Broader Effects on Work and Society: Depression and anxiety contribute to the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays globally each year. The cumulative effect of untreated mental health conditions affects national productivity and economic growth. Societal stigma and lack of support exacerbate these issues, creating a cycle of disadvantages.
- Stigma and Barriers to Employment: Stigma surrounding mental health prevents individuals from seeking help and maintaining employment. Fear of discrimination leads to silence and worsening mental health issues.
- Rise in Suicides Among Young Professionals: The phenomenon of ‘karoshi’ in Japan, meaning ‘death from overwork’, reflects a global issue. A Statista report indicates that in 2022, 11,486 Indian professionals in the private sector died by suicide. The relentless drive for profit and productivity often overshadows mental health and personal well-being.
- Brutal Work Culture Driven by Profit: The ‘hustle and bustle’ culture glorify overwork, assuming perpetual activity leads to better results. It is influenced by Max Weber’s “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” which links hard work with moral virtue. Overwork leads to chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and, in some cases, suicide.
- Cognitive Dissonance Among Employers: Employers may believe pushing employees to their limits is essential for organizational growth. The belief that it filters out the “weak” and rewards the “strong” fosters a culture of hyper-competition. This mindset overlooks the severe mental health consequences for employees.
- Mental Health Crisis Among Indian Professionals: Over 197 million Indians suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Intensified societal pressures, consumerism, and disconnect from community and self-awareness contribute to the crisis. Pursuing material wealth often fails to meet deeper emotional and psychological needs.
- Effects of Consumerism on Mental Health: Consumer Culture equates freedom with personal consumption, weakening social bonds. It leads to an endless cycle of consumption without improving long-term mental health.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was launched by the Government of India in 1982. The NMHP emphasizes integrating mental health care into primary health centers (PHCs) and district hospitals, ensuring that mental health services are accessible across rural and urban regions.
- District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): A vital component of the NMHP, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) aims to decentralize mental health services to the district level. The DMHP operates across 767 districts in India, with an emphasis on accessible, community-based care. Outpatient services for common mental health conditions. A 10-bed in-patient unit at the district hospital for patients needing intensive care.
- National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP): Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) has established 53 Tele MANAS Cells across 36 states/union territories, making it easier for individuals to seek help.
- Policy Recommendations from the Economic Survey 2023-24: According to WHO norms, there should be 3 psychiatrists per lakh population, but India only has 0.75 psychiatrists per lakh population. The Economic Survey calls for doubling or tripling the number of mental health professionals by expanding training programs and enhancing the capacity of medical institutions.
- Encourage early identification of mental health issues in educational settings to prevent conditions from escalating. The introduction of mental health screening at the preschool and Anganwadi levels will help catch issues at an early stage.
- Enforce the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, which guarantees the right to mental healthcare and protection from inhumane treatment.
- The Economic Survey recommends adopting a bottom-up approach where communities are involved in designing and delivering mental health solutions. This would ensure programs are culturally appropriate and address local needs.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Supporting Workers to Thrive: Providing reasonable accommodation helps employees manage their conditions and remain productive. Examples include flexible scheduling, regular supportive meetings, and gradual reintroduction to tasks after leave. Simple support, such as providing a quiet space or allowing for scheduled breaks, can significantly impact an employee’s ability to cope with stress.
- Training Managers to Support Mental Health: Managers trained to identify and address mental health stressors can foster a positive and supportive work environment. Early recognition of stress signs leads to timely interventions and reduces the escalation of mental health issues among staff.
- Taking Care of One’s Own Mental Health: Learning stress management techniques and being mindful of changes in mental health are essential. Individuals empowered with knowledge and resources are better equipped to manage their mental health.
- Need to Shift Focus to Employee Well-being: The Human Relations Movement emphasizes that employee satisfaction improves organizational efficiency. Studies consistently show that happier employees are more productive. Companies implementing wellness programs and flexible work arrangements report higher employee satisfaction and reduced turnover rates.
- Redefining Performance Metrics: Shift focus from measuring productivity based solely on hours worked to the quality and impact of work. Encourage employees to produce meaningful results rather than merely putting in long hours.
- Breaking the Culture of Overwork: Employees should feel empowered to set boundaries around their work hours. Saying “no” to unmanageable workloads is essential for maintaining mental health.
- Rethink the Concept of a ‘Good Life’: Socrates emphasized the importance of self-reflection. Aristotle linked the good life to flourishing through virtuous living.
- Collective Action and Community-Oriented Living: Strong social connections and supportive communities are critical to mental health. Brazil’s Community Gardens help residents reconnect through shared responsibilities, fostering a sense of belonging. Emphasize holistic well-being to build a healthier, more connected society.
THE CONCLUSION:
Addressing the global mental health crisis requires a shift from individual success and consumerism to collective well-being, fostering supportive communities and prioritizing mental health in both workplace policies and broader societal norms.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society. 2023
Q.2 What matters for success, character, happiness, and lifelong achievements is a definite set of emotional skills – your EQ – not just purely cognitive abilities measured by conventional IQ tests.” Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Q.3 Anger is a harmful negative emotion. It is injurious to both personal life and work life. (a) Discuss how it leads to negative emotions and undesirable behaviours. (b) How can it be managed and controlled? 2016
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Examine the relationship between India’s economic growth, changing work culture, and the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders. Discuss the role of government policies and corporate practices in addressing this issue.
SOURCE:
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/mental-health-in-indias-material-world/article68737593.ece
https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153261&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1
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