A recent report by ekincare, an AI-powered digital health platform, has revealed a significant gender disparity in mental health consultations within corporate India.
The findings indicate that women at India Inc are three times more likely than men to seek mental health support, highlighting a growing awareness and acceptance of mental wellness among female professionals.
The report, titled “Wellbeing Index at India Inc,” draws insights from over 45,000 employees across 90+ companies and 15+ sectors, offering a comprehensive look at mental health engagement trends.
Key Findings from the Report
The study presents several critical insights into support usage among corporate employees:
- Women account for over 50% of mental health consultations, despite making up only 25% of the workforce.
- The mental health support usage rate among women is 11.88%, nearly three times higher than men’s 4.24%.
- Gen Z employees (aged 19–30) show the highest engagement, with a usage rate of 9.22%, reflecting a generational shift toward openness in seeking support.
- Personal stress is the primary driver for consultations, with over half of the reported 2,095 cases linked to emotional or personal challenges rather than workplace pressures.
- Healthcare and pharma sectors report the highest engagement, likely due to increased awareness and stress levels in these industries.
- Employees aged 46 and above have the lowest usage rate (1.62%), suggesting lingering stigma or insufficient outreach among older professionals.
Generational Shift in Mental Health Awareness
The report highlights a generational shift in attitudes toward mental health.
Gen Z employees are breaking the stigma, showing higher engagement with mental health services compared to older generations.
This trend suggests that younger professionals are more open to discussing their challenges and seeking professional support.
Industry-Specific Trends
Certain industries exhibit higher engagement with services that support their health mentally:
- Healthcare and pharma sectors report the highest usage rates, likely due to high-stress work environments.
- Corporate professionals in finance and IT also show increased engagement, reflecting the pressures of high-performance roles.
- Older employees (aged 46 and above) demonstrate lower engagement, indicating a need for targeted outreach and awareness programs.
Expert Insights on Workplace Mental Health
Dr. Noel Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at ekincare, emphasized the importance of organizational culture in fostering mental wellness.
He stated, “Mental health is no longer a peripheral conversation—it has become central to how organizations build trust, foster engagement, and sustain performance.”
Noel added, “While access to support services has certainly improved, their true impact depends on something deeper: organizational culture, leadership behavior, and the ability to create psychologically safe environments.”
Coutinho further stressed that companies must normalize these discussions, ensuring employees feel comfortable seeking support without fear of stigma.
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