CXO Outlook – October 2021 – India Edition – Mental Health in Workplace Special

MENTAL HEALTH SPECIAL

INDIA EDITION

INSIGHTS. IDEAS. INSPIRATIONS

REMOTE WORK AND MENTAL HEALTH Dr M Saradhi Goud, Consultant Psychiatrist, Kamineni Hospitals

WORK-LIFE BALANCE TIPS TO LEAD A HEALTHY MENTAL LIFE Dr. Nachiketa Sinha, Consultant Psychiatrist

THE IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING FOR WORKING WOMEN Geeta Ramakrishnan, Ontological Coach and Author

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October 2021

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

October 2021

Vol - 2 Issue - 9

Mental Health Special (India Edition) Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

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CXO OUTLOOK October May 2020 2021

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Are We Happy?

Let’s Talk About It!!!

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t the beginning of the pandemic, just before the lockdown, when companies started announcing work from home for employees, many of us had a sense of excitement. Despite the presence of a dangerous virus creeping into our neighbourhoods and workplaces, we were elated that we finally got some time to chill at home. Yes, we still had to do our work, but at the comfort of our home. For many employees, that happiness was only a bubble. It started bursting for one by one, as the lockdowns and stay-at-home-and-work prolongated indefinitely. This October, when the countries around the globe observed World Mental Health Day, the most discussed topic was COVID-19 and Employee Mental Health.

The issue of well-being at work is not omnidirectional.

From social detachment and hyper-connectivity to job loss and financial crisis, the reasons are plenty for employees to be frustrated with their work and life. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMEI), the average employment rate has reduced from 404 million in March 2019 to 282 million in April 2020, which means that about 122 million people have lost their jobs, including 27 million youth. From an estimated 78 million entrepreneurs and businesses in 2019–20, we were down to approximately 60 million by April 2020. On the other hand, WHO has already stated that the mental health

workforce in India is not up to the mark. There is a huge shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists in the country compared to the number of people suffering from mental health issues.

In the corporate business sector, companies are seriously concerned about the mental health of their employees. With the guidance of experts and dedicated teams, many of them conduct live meditation, mental health sessions with a specific focus on vulnerable groups, extended weekends, special holidays, free subscription to well-being apps, 24x7 counselling helplines and many more.

In his issue, our focus is on the mental health of employees. Here, we have a collection of insightful articles written by physiatrists, HR experts and other industry leaders. We hope that their insight and expertise will help you understand your mind better and find some tips to be happy in this challenging world.

Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

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Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc.

Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB. Former Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Mamta Thakur Former CEO (ASEAN), Arc Skills

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Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Chief Human Resources Officer, Former Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com Former Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

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CXO OUTLOOK October January 2021

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EXPERT OPINION

Why Mental Health Breaks are Good for Your Job and Productivity?

Ayushi Mathur, Founder & CEO, Pickbetter Marketing

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Acceptance of Mental Health as an Important Factor Affecting Productivity

Empowering Mental Wellbeing for Employees

Dr Sangeeta Kujur, Chief Medical Officer, AirAsia India

Asheesh Chanda, Founder & CEO, Kristal.AI

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When Home became the New Office: Balancing Mental Health and Remote Work

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LEADERS INSIGHT

Start-up Culture Needs to Talk More About Mental Health

Chahat Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Impact Study Biz

Nirbhik Goel, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, VFS Global

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Need to Focus on Mental Health and Wellness at Work for Corporate Well-Being

Dr. Prakriti Poddar, Managing Trustee, Poddar Foundation

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Importance of Mental Health

Rajiv Naithani, Chief Human Resources Officer, Infogain

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How Does Someone with Mental Illness View the Modern Workplace Today?

Piali Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities

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Is Yoga or Meditation enough for a Healthier Mind?

Yash Kotak, Co-founder & CMO, BOHECO

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How Remote Working Has Impacted Employee Mental Health

Why it’s Time for Business Leaders to Come Together on Mental Health

Samira Gupta, Image Consultant, Executive and Life Coach

Sonica Aron, Founder & Managing Partner, Marching Sheep

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

IN MY VIEW

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Satya Jha, Chief Business Officer, Grant Thornton Bharat

Sajan Pillai, Managing Partner, Season Two Ventures

Importance of Mental Well-Being of Employees

The Unspoken Dimensions of Entrepreneurial Mental Health

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PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Steps that Companies can Take to Ensure the Mental Welfare of Employees

The Importance of Psychological Well-Being for Working Women

Geeta Ramakrishnan, Ontological Coach and Author

Dr. P. K. Manglik, Psychiatrist

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What Workplace Practices are Impacting an Employee's Mental Health?

Dr. Satish Kumar CR, Consultant - Clinical Psychology, Manipal Hospital CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

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Remote Work and Mental Health

Dr M Saradhi Goud, Consultant Psychiatrist, Kamineni Hospitals

Work-Life Balance Tips to lead a Healthy Mental Life

Dr. Nachiketa Sinha, Consultant Psychiatrist

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Employee Mental Health in the Pandemic

Alma Chopra, Life Counselor

Befriending the Pandemic and the Experiences for Our Wellbeing &Growth

Purvi Balasaria, Psychologist, Sri Healthcare-Research International (SHRI)

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

IN MY VIEW

IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYEES Satya Jha, Chief Business Officer, Grant Thornton Bharat

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tigma attached to one of the most common problem is an irony in itself. Often conversations around mental health start with a misconception that it is a negative thing. Let us first clear the air around what mental health is, before we discuss this subject in further detail.

Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community".

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and affects how we think, feel, and act. It should not be interchanged with mental illness and does not denote a sign of weakness.

Circumstances at home, originating from personal family reasons, stress at workplace, financial

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

pressures, societal demands etc. can impact any person’s mental equilibrium. These days the constant craving of being liked and accepted on social media platforms has become one such source of triggering mental health issue. With changing lifestyles and a significant portion of society living independently, sometimes lack of company creates that emotional imbalance where one doesn’t find anyone to express their thoughts and insecurities with.

In 1700s, being mentally unhealthy was considered a stigma and people thought patients were religiously punished. Fast forward to 2019-2021 – people have started to grasp the prevalence of mental health challenges, in their personal and professional lives. In the corporate world, the issues of mental health and its deterioration has garnered the attention of employees and employers.

In 2020, mental health became a

Good mental health can improve quality of life, whereas poor mental health can worsen it

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Having an experience panning over two decades, Satya is the Chief Business Officer at Grant Thornton Bharat. He started his career as a software engineer and moved into project and people management roles as he advanced in his career. His role further evolved over last 12 years into carrying out more strategic, operational, innovative and financially significant functions. Over the last two decades, he has worked for 6 years in the United States and the rest in India. Satya completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering, and also did an Executive Business Management course from IIM Calcutta. A PMI-certified Project Management Professional, Satya is currently pursuing a program to become a certified executive coach from International school of coaching mastery, New York.

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true business imperative and the need to address the same got heightened much like diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

According to Oracle's 2020 AI@Work Study, 84% Indians have reportedly experienced more stress and/ or anxiety at work than any year before. 85% say mental health issues at work negatively affect their home/ personal life. Also, interestingly, 92% of those surveyed in India were more comfortable talking about their mental issues with a robot than a manager!

These findings reflect on the dearth of policy support at workplace, in reference to mental health and also highlight the lack of understanding on the subject. With millions suffering from mental health issues today, it no longer is a stigma, and people have started accepting this condition with empathy and extending their support.

Mental health is not necessarily a phrase having a negative connotation, rather it can be multifaceted.

Good mental health can improve quality of life, whereas poor mental health can worsen it. More recently, with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting most families and professionals in one way or the other, the awareness has grown manifold. What can be seen or is physical in nature is relatively easier to fix, what can’t be seen, is most difficult to address. If an individual is mentally healthy, s/he spreads cheer around themselves and is energised, more productive at work and satisfied in life.

If an individual in not mentally healthy, there is a lack of focus, as attention gets diverted, and productivity takes a direct hit. Not only that but according to a study published in the Administrative Science Quarterly, new hires diagnosed with anxiety, depression or high levels of stress are likely to transmit these feelings to their new co-workers too, hence impacting the overall morale and feeling of well-being across the organisation.

Let us also look at some statistics to see the economic impact of the same. As per NCBI, data from different countries around the world indicate that mental health problems are a cause for a number of employees dropping out of work. Even in much developed economies like Netherlands, around 58% of the work-related disabilities are related to mental health. In the UK, it is estimated that around 30–40% of the sickness absence is attributable to some form of mental illness (15.4 million workdays annually).

Mental health problems have an impact on employers and businesses directly through increased absenteeism, negative impact on productivity and profits, as well as an increase in the costs while dealing with such

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

issues. The estimated cost to the global economy due to depression and anxiety is US$ 1 trillion per year. The World Health Organization estimates that India will suffer economic losses amounting to a staggering 1.03 trillion dollars from mental health conditions between 2012 and 2030. In addition, they impact employee morale adversely. Besides the economic impact, the individuals are impacted by growing tension in their working relations with supervisors, and their learning and career growth is stunted.

So, what can organisations and employees do to address the same?

In a survey conducted by Gi Group - only 14 per cent of the employers surveyed were found to have policies and mechanisms receptive to mental wellness. About 54 per cent of the respondents have not put formal policies and mechanisms in place for mental health and this is a big area of improvement for corporates.

Mental health of employees needs to be enhanced not just through certain day offs and counselling sessions but through a sustained and well thought out strategy that is also on an organisation’s key agenda.

Employers need to be more supportive than ever, either through policies that empower people to take time off, or through engagement programmes where health care professionals can provide support. Counselling, medication, or variety of other physical/mental wellbeing programs also help.

With hybrid work arrangements in today’s times, empathy from leadership, better work hours, formal mental health policies, and allowing employees to strike a work-life balance will help employers cultivate a healthy workforce. From appreciation leaves, better processes in place for informal connects to Yoga, meditation, counselling etc. help in fostering a psychologically safe work environment. I vividly remember how one of our employees lost her father to covid and was torn. She had a lot to juggle, between everyone's safety, taking care of her mother and working side by side. The firm provided her with counseling support, which helped her mother to cope better. This helped our employee in managing her mental wellbeing and we couldn’t have been more relieved.

Organisations that are able to take care of its people and their mental well-being needs are the ones who shall cultivate motivated and grateful employees. These conscious and responsible companies will eventually move towards growth, on the foundation of a strong culture that keeps all stakeholders together, in times of need.

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Higher Education Digest September 2020

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

START-UP CULTURE NEEDS TO TALK MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH Chahat Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Impact Study Biz

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Chahat Aggarwal is the CEO of “Impact Study Biz”, and author of Branding and AILeveraging technology for Revenue Growth. Chahat was born in Amritsar, India and educated in India, U.S.A., and Sydney. She holds her family with the greatest regard and attributes all her success to them. She is currently the CEO of a strategic consultancy “Impact study Biz”, which she also founded. When she is not working, she can be seen dabbling in a variety of skills and hobbies, ranging from modeling to directing films.

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team from the University of California conducted a study in 2015 where they researched on mental health in entrepreneurs. They found that 1. Entrepreneurs were 30% more likely to be afflicted with mental health problems than other people.

2. At least 49% of the entrepreneurs were likely to suffer from lifelong mental health trauma.

3. 72% of all entrepreneurs reported at least one kind of mental health issue.

In Elon Musk’s words, “The reality is great highs, terrible lows and unrelenting stress. Don't think people want to hear about the last two.”

Starting a new business undertaking is multifaceted.

There are several demands, both internal and external.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Why do start-up entrepreneurships entail depression, among others mental ailments? Answer- The nature of the work.

Entrepreneurs are - constantly working, - sleep deprived, - fatigued, - eating too much or too little.

The factor that leads to it Running a start-up is strenuous and lonely. One often gets so busy building a new facet for their life that they hardly have any time for socializing. The repercussions can be devastating. In order to keep functioning, most

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JUST TALKING ABOUT THE STRESSES AND CHALLENGES ONE FACES IN START-UP CULTURE CAN DO WONDERS

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

entrepreneurs tend to push back their loneliness and fatigue to the back of their mind and keep going at it.

This often entails keeping up a bright and happy face for clients, employees and fellow workers, also called “Impression Management”- the act of keeping up the face and demeanor of an optimist.

It makes them think that it psychologically aids the feeling that everything is in place and not crumbling down around them. The reality is different. Suppressing negativity only comes back stronger later.

The factors that make it stay Stigma The stigma around mental health is huge to the extent that most people straight up are in denial about it. Given its pervasiveness in the world of start-ups, it is ironic that it is still viewed as a stigma, and something that only ‘the weak’ have. Entrepreneurs are supposed to be strong mentally, how else are they going to manage a business?

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Denial Common among mental health patients, Denial is when they refuse to acknowledge their problems.

The reasons a. Stigma b. Fear of lagging behind Putting entrepreneurs on a pedestal Successful entrepreneurs have people looking up to them, and rightly so. But that adoration often reaches a stage where it becomes worship, which is toxic. That puts immense pressure on a start-up/ an entrepreneur to always deliver, even when they have been consistently successful. For new start-ups the pressure is about proving themselves, because there is a high risk of failure involved, not to mention the amount of hard work and capital invested.

Changing Things Acknowledging it Just talking about the stresses and challenges one faces in start-up culture can do wonders.

People need to be made aware that these people are every bi as vulnerable to negativity as much as anyone else.

Ben Huh, the CEO of Cheeseburger Network, revealed in a deeply personal post, about his suicidal thoughts following the failure of his first start-up. He named it When Death Feels Like A Better Option.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Micahel. A. Freeman, a researcher on Mental Health and Entrepreneurship says, “There are traumatic events all along the line”.

Thing will get better Big losses in your business may knock you flat no matter what your psychological makeup is. Even seasoned business owners have had their feet yanked out from beneath them.

Staying in touch Though starting a business can be a roller coaster ride, experts believe that the start-up culture can make changes to keep from spiraling out of control. Freeman advises to not let business squeeze out your connections with human beings (human beings other than your clients). Friends and Family can be effective tools in combatting depression, mood disorders, etc.

Taking help Seeking help from mental health experts must always be an option. The sooner you acknowledge and address the problem, the sooner it will be sorted.

ONE OFTEN GETS SO BUSY BUILDING A NEW FACET FOR THEIR LIFE THAT THEY HARDLY HAVE ANY TIME FOR SOCIALIZING

Unmasking sentiments Psychiatrists advise about being honest about feelings and emotions. Unmasking emotions, and having a work environment where everyone freely talks about their sentiments, is healthy start-up culture. Brad Feld says, “Willingness to be vulnerable is very powerful for a leader.”

Being aware is the key to a robust mental health.

Success does NOT equate with stress. While a little stress is important, too much of it will kill. Aaron Swartz, the Founder of “Reddit”, despite running a successful venture, took his life in despair.

That should be a lesson on the fact that no amount of success or money or recognition will compensate for bad mental health. However, the trend and culture is changing, slowly but steadily.

It is amazing to see that many start-ups, of various ventures, are working on the propagation of mental health awareness. One such venture is Impact Study Biz, a consultancy. Along with consultation, they are doing their bit to combat this nightmare of disorders. They have worked closely with the UN towards the same purpose.

Besides being out there and helping people, it is commendable that they have an amazing work culture and free communication lines within the company, all contributing to a stress free work environment, thus taking the concept of a stress free start-up culture to new dimensions.

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EXPERT OPINION

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Acceptance of Mental Health as an Important Factor Affecting Productivity Asheesh Chanda, Founder & CEO, Kristal.AI

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O Asheesh has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry and established Kristal.AI in 2016 to bring personalised wealth management to the mass affluent class. With Kristal.AI, he aims to cater for a segment that has traditionally been overlooked by banks. He oversees all company operations and spearheads strategy and product development, as well as client acquisition and company growth. Asheesh also personally oversees the Kristal Founders Fund - a high performance hedge fund strategy that manages money for Kristal.AI founders and key clients.

ne lesser-known thing that life in a startup and corporate world teaches you is the many definitions of the term ‘burnout’. Over the years, burnout has taken various shapes & forms, right from ‘feeling overworked’ to ‘not being able to maintain a work-life balance’ to the pandemicinduced ‘zoom fatigue’. But it is in the last few years that we have collectively come to understand that burnout, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, work-induced stress, all fall under the larger umbrella of poor mental health.

As with physical health (and maybe even more so), your mental health has a direct impact on your energy levels, motivation, moods, and as a result your overall performance in the workplace. In fact, lack of good mental health not only affects an individual’s performance & motivation at the workplace, but also impacts personal life and physical health & well-being.

Over the last decade or so, organizations have accepted and understood the need for physical health, and have built the appropriate infrastructure for it. It is very common to see companies offering their employees gym memberships, health insurance packages, healthy food options, companyorganized marathons, and sporting events.

However what’s not common are systems and events put in place to drive mental health & wellness. A survey conducted by The7thFold says that, 36% of Indian employees have been battling a mental health issue over the last couple of years. While the pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of office goers, it isn’t a cause for mental health issues. A body’s physical health is bound to deteriorate in the absence of regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and good care. Very similarly, a person’s mental health cannot remain healthy without a conscious effort to keep it fit. Mental health issues aren’t a “weakness”, they are a part of regular wear & tear. All they require is care & maintenance through activities such as self-care, therapy, and in some case, medication.

Every organization should have employee wellbeing at the top of their priority lists. Along with a conducive work environment, health benefits, and regular leave provisions now it is extremely important to institute measures and programs to ensure mental well-being of our employees as well as encourage open dialogue around mental wellness across all levels.

The first step towards achieving this is to accept the need for mental wellness for employees and ourselves. It is important to realize and accept that no person in any organisation can function at their 100% all the time. People are bound to have their high & low days, hence it’s very important to not only acknowledge that, but also build

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systems to support them during their low days. We’ve all had days when your mind just refuses to get out of bed and get to your work desk. This feeling is felt across the organisation, from an intern to the CEO. It is important to embrace this feeling and tell yourself that “it’s okay”.

Some new age organisations have even instituted a category of leaves called ‘Mental Health Days’. This idea is invariably benefitting because it completely takes away the anxiety and awkwardness of telling your boss you’ve got a fever or a headache, even when it’s obvious to your boss that you’re just having a low day.

Such systems need to be in place and they need to flow from the top. And flow from the top doesn’t mean that the senior management merely encouraging the mental wellness agenda. As leaders, we tend to put too much pressure on ourselves, to be perfect, indestructible and immovable and feel a 100% all the time.

The most common pitfall in building any organisation’s mental health programs, is to not exclude yourself from this process. Embracing, and even being open about your own vulnerability when it comes to your mental health, can have a strong long-term impact in building a mentally healthy work culture. This is what ‘leading from the front’ really looks like. When junior employees see their senior management talking about mental health, being open about their own burnout, and making it a point to take mental breaks, the culture is bound to trickle all the way to the bottom of the organisation. We’ve heard only too many times that subordinates don’t leave the office at 6pm because the boss is still at work. Its high-time we hear subordinates taking a Mental Health Day off, because their boss did too.

As an industry, we must encourage all the senior management teams to take their mental health seriously.

To take work breaks, set boundaries in terms of work and reachability hours, and practice me-time hobbies right from practicing a sport to playing an instrument to as simple as spending time with kids and family.

Companies today are doing events to reinforce their Mental Wellness agenda. Right from appreciation events, physical fitness classes, and talent showcases to encourage employees to pursue a hobby. They are also working in mental health into their health benefits offerings to employees. Many companies have empaneled mental wellness experts and are now sponsoring completely anonymous mental therapy sessions for their employees.

This marks for a great start.

While the objective of any employee initiative is productivity in the long-term, with mental wellness, we should look at productivity as a secondary or a welcome spillover outcome.

The primary outcome here is my team’s happiness and sense of fulfillment in both, professional and personal capacities.

According to Oracle’s AI@ Work Study, 92% of Indian employees prefer discussing mental health issues with robots than managers. This is what we should all collectively aim at changing. Leading a digital private wealth management company, I fully believe that AI & bots are the future, however, as with wealth management, there’s a strong human and relationshipbuilding element to mental wellness. Our employees need to feel much more comfortable discussing mental health with their seniors and with each other in the organization. It’s a long process, but one that needs to be embarked upon at the earliest. Mental Wellness is no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have aspect of employee productivity and business growth.

Every organization should have employee wellbeing at the top of their priority lists

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Remote Work and Mental Health Dr M Saradhi Goud, Consultant Psychiatrist, Kamineni Hospitals

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Dr. M Saradhi Goud is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar with extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders. He has over 15 years of working experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist at Kamineni Hospitals. His exemplary academic journey sets him apart by giving him a broad insight into the subject. His in-depth knowledge of various treatment modalities and therapies has resulted in patients’ recoveries and improved functionality.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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he world of work as we know it is changing.

We are seeing a dramatic rise in remote working, with more and more people working away from the physical office location — sometimes by choice, sometimes not. The Covid-19 pandemic has further accelerated these changes, indicating that remote working is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Throughout 2020, remote working became increasingly popular, with most organizations allowing their employees to work from home.

Some businesses are starting to open up their offices again, but others are allowing their employees to remain remotely.

Remote work has managed to impact people's lives in several ways, either for the best or the worst. Remote work can turn normally optimistic, productive workers into tired, unmotivated, irritable ones. Those who are introverted and prefer to stay away from office politics welcome the chance of remote working. On the other hand, the ones who thrived on constant communication with their fellow employees were impacted by the lack of communication, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Remote work has several ways that can impact our mental health, and business leaders must be aware of these effects before hitting rock bottom, and learn how to spot the signs of declining mental health so you can address it in a timely way.

According to the WHO, Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and can contribute to his or her community”.

Remote work might cause deterioration of mental health. It can affect the levels of employees, self-discipline, stress, initiate procrastination /frustration, have effect on the resilience, coping abilities and job satisfaction of employees. Work life balance can also be affected due to blurring of roles between work and home commitments, flexibility between the borders of home and work, fluctuating productive levels, difficulty in decision making and planning, and the reaching dead line.

When stress becomes a constant presence in a person's life, it can lead to them experiencing some severe burnout

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Remote work can turn normally optimistic, productive workers into tired, unmotivated, irritable ones 26

Job and family relations are influenced by absences of physical boundaries between two otherwise distinct worlds which is described as “role blurring” which is the “experience of confusion or difficulty in distinguishing one’s work from one’s family roles”.

A variety of psychological consequences and the challenges of adopting to the new life style of the remote workers have been manifested by large numbers of people such as restrictive social relationships, opportunities, physical activity etc.

Recent studies have shown that remote workers tend to feel far more stressed out compared to their onsite counterparts.

Stress can introduce several symptoms. Here are some of the signs that may indicate that an employee’s stress levels have reached an all-time high: ● Feelings of uncertainty or nervousness ● Feeling depressed or sadness, which can have far reaching effects. The symptoms of depression include:

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

o Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration (even over small matters) o Loss of interest or happiness in activities such as sex or hobbies o Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and sleeping too much o Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort o Increased cravings for food o Anxiety, agitation, and restlessness o Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things o Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches o Often wanting to stay at home rather than going out to socialize or do new activities o Low motivation levels Several other things can be included in workplace stress. Plenty of people are having more duties placed

on them, both from work and at home. Some people may not have all of the tools they require to finish their tasks while working remotely. Furthermore, the change in routing, uncertainty of the coming future, and concerns about personal health all add to a person’s stress level.

At times, a person may only experience stress for a short while, such as when they are in a new unfamiliar or dangerous situation. That is known as acute stress and commonly occurs in everyone since it's the body's way of keeping you safe. But, when stress levels tend to last far longer than necessary, or chronic stress as it's known, it can cause negative effects on a person's emotional and mental health. Undergoing high levels of chronic stress can lead to a person experiencing memory issues. Stressed-out individuals are also more likely to have trouble focusing and low energy levels. Heightened levels of stress can also lead to more severe mental health issues. Recent studies have shown that a third of remote workers are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. That has caused several people to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the issue.

Burnout When stress becomes a constant presence in a person's life, it can lead to them experiencing some severe burnout. Burn out or professional exhaustion syndrome is characterized by feelings of physical and emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Individuals with low level of mental health seem to be more inclined to suffer from burnout.

A large part of these diagnosis consists of depression, stress disorders and exhaustion syndrome all of which overlap with symptoms of burnout syndrome. Burnout is not the same as being depressed or over worked it is a subtle process in which an individual is gradually caught in a state of mental fatigue and in completely empty and drained of all energy.

Burnout syndrome is a problem born of good intensions because it happens when individuals try to reach unrealistic goals and end up depleting their energy and losing touch with themselves and others.

Remote workers who become burned to have negative thoughts about their current work. They will feel considerably exhausted and start to distance

themselves from their team members and the work.

That eventually leads to them barely getting any of the work done.

Burnout is an authentic diagnosis that has increased since the start of the pandemic. Burnout can affect the way a person's brain operates. People who are experiencing burnout are more likely to have a difficult time remembering things and paying attention. However, recent research has discovered that when people feel better about working from home, they are less likely to feel burned out. Finding a way to make remote working more enjoyable is capable of helping your employees handle their mental health better.

Burnout is something that needs to be taken seriously by employees since studies have shown that it’s reached an all-time high.

Mental health has become a growing concern for most organizations, there are still plenty of bumps in the road that are being run into by most companies. Knowing what to look out for is critical.

But with right approach, it’s possible to stay positive, productive and look ahead to the future in regards to your career. Balancing your well-being with your work responsibilities is the key to staying healthy both physically and mentally.

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health When You Work remotely Taking care of your mental health when working remotely is important. Few people realize that burnout is a real medical condition that can easily affect people who work remotely.

There are real consequences to remote workers, especially if you’re not prepared. If it’s your first time working remotely, then it’s important to listen to advice from remote working professionals in order to take better care of your mental health. Here are some practical tips for young professionals to take better care of their mental health when working remotely. ● Stick to a schedule. ● Schedule regular breaks. ● Create a comfortable work environment. ● Remove distractions. ● Consider co-working spaces as an option. ● Understand your limits. ● Unplug from your work–literally. ● Don’t forget to communicate and engage.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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IN MY VIEW

THE UNSPOKEN DIMENSIONS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTAL HEALTH Sajan Pillai, Managing Partner, Season Two Ventures

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n 2019, if someone told me that I would be spending half my life over the next two years on virtual work meetings, I would have laughed. But here we are, talking about zoom fatigue, zoom gloom and information overload in the work from home mode.

The pandemic and all the resultant lockdowns have certainly not been kind to people and their mental peace.

In the US, the number of individuals displaying symptoms of anxiety and stress rose from 11% in 2019 to upwards of 42% in 2020. According to WHO, while there was a spike in attempts to promote awareness surrounding mental health, only 51% nations reported that their mental health policies were congruent with international standards. Additionally, it was reported that for every 100,000 individuals, the global average of mental health practitioners available was 13, with the numbers being

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

heavily skewed towards highincome countries. A major portion of the world is, thus, deprived of appropriate mental care.

One of the biggest stress points, apart from that of COVID-19 itself, has been from the professional front.

In the Asia-Pacific region alone, as many as 81 million job losses were reported in 2020, leading to rampant financial insecurities.

Simultaneously, the "lucky" few who could hold a job found themselves grappling with the concept of workfrom-home, struggling to keep the personal and professional apart. The issue is that, we're all so conditioned with this "tough it out" mentality that we, often, fail to notice the symptoms before they've already gotten severe.

The lack of work-life-balance has led to a slew of resignations piling up across the corporate ladder.

The situation in the start-up community hasn’t been too different.

Within the workspace, founders must establish open channels of communication that help constantly evolve the framework of workplace wellness

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Sajan Pillai is an internationally acclaimed businessman, investor, engineer, IT innovator and philanthropist. He is currently the Managing Partner of Season Two Ventures, an early stage venture fund based in Southern California.

Renowned for his exceptional ability to foster innovative thinking and infuse life into ideas, Sajan was featured in the prestigious Stemconnector’s list of 100 CEO Leaders as well as in the Glassdoor Employees’ Choice list of Top 100 CEOs during his two-decade long tenure as Director and CEO in UST Global. His ground-breaking initiative ‘Step IT Up America’, which aimed at empowering 5000 women technologists was lauded by political as well as industry leaders and was seen as a major step towards gender egalitarianism in the technology sector.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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Even before the pandemic, Indians have had a history of glorifying overworked employees as the standard for productivity, and WFH has only managed to worsen the situation. The highly-involved nature of work in start-ups often leads to employees developing an emotional bond with the company. When this attachment begins tipping over to the wrong side of indulgence is when the problem starts. The most frequent culprits of such behaviour are entrepreneurs forgetting the fine line between passion and obsession with regard to their project.

The entrepreneurial journey is laden with opportunities of different kinds that offer room for autonomy, creativity, learning, innovation and a host of other wonderful things, but the one thing it seems to lack is a 'Switch Off' button.

Founders are positioned, quite literally, at the eye of the storm. As the face of start-ups, they find themselves in a unique position where they are constantly kept under the scanner, where any move they make can be scrutinized by investors, consumers, the media or any other stakeholder.

Within the company, it is difficult to precisely pinpoint the founder's responsibility, because they are often required to be a jack-of-all-trades, overseeing and guiding all the teams in a unified direction.

Amidst all this, it becomes a little too easy for them to lose track of themselves. The most dangerous thing that any entrepreneur can do is to club their self-worth with the success of their venture. Anyone who is even peripherally associated with a startup knows the turbulent nature of the markets that they operate in, where the risk of failure is always around the corner. In such circumstances, if one begins to associate every little business setback with personal flaws, then they are setting themselves up for disaster. Over the years, several studies have highlighted that the entrepreneurial life leaves people susceptible to a myriad of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD etc.

In addition to looking out for themselves, founders are also tasked with the responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of their employees. The combined mental stress of it all can lead to decrease in productivity, lethargy, burnout etc., all of which adds up to a tainted reputation and financial losses, thereby forming a vicious loop of events where one triggers the other. Year on year, mental illnesses cost the global economy losses worth $1 trillion.

Having said that, the silver lining, if any, to this situation is that the aggravated state of affairs has managed to create a collective awakening around mental wellbeing in workplaces. The way forward involves acknowledging unhealthy patterns and making active attempts to rectify them. As founders, the first step in doing so is to understand that a leader is not infallible. The world will not come

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

crashing down because you took some time off, but not doing so might just lead you there. If you sense things slipping out of control, seek help. There is no shame in doing so.

Within the workspace, founders must establish open channels of communication that help constantly evolve the framework of workplace wellness. It is high time that HR policies began promoting and making space for better, and diverse mental health practices that account for all.

Additionally, a founder's responsibility also lies in equipping employees with enough knowledge and autonomy to enable them to function independently. I am a strong believer in the concept of 'Supportive Leadership' wherein employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work. In my experience, this has had a very positive impact on myself as well as my team, and improved productivity.

The pandemic and all the resultant lockdowns have certainly not been kind to people and their mental peace

It is also important for VCs, as a community, to recognise that our job is not to pressure portfolio companies into meeting their targets, rather it is to help them get there more easily and efficiently. Mistakes are unavoidable, leader or otherwise. In such moments, we must treat them with the same empathy that we would show ourselves, and try to gauge how we can be of help.

The journey towards better mental health goals is not restricted to a single path. Some may choose therapy, some might find peace in meditation, some might start running or get back to an old hobby; the point is that you must begin somewhere. If it helps, think of your mental health as an extension to your business goals. After all, what is the point of endless talent and vision if your body and mind refuse to cooperate with it?!

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

NEED TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT WORK FOR CORPORATE WELL-BEING Dr. Prakriti Poddar, Managing Trustee, Poddar Foundation

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Prakriti Poddar has been working in the area of Mental Wellness since 2000. A Mental Health Entrepreneur, with a passion for innovation in the ecosystem. She mothers three organizations in this space, apart from her consulting practice. As the Managing Trustee of Poddar Foundation, Prakriti focuses on raising awareness of mental health issues and creating preventive mental health programs for the Nation.

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orkplace wellbeing encompasses every aspect of employees’ working life, starting from the safety of the environment to how they feel at work to their physical and mental health.

As compared to traditional wellness programs, today’s workspaces are revolutionising their corporate wellness programs to offer holistic wellness benefits to their employees and keep them happy. However, despite the shift in focus, many employers still fail to acknowledge the need for wellness programs to be a part of their work culture. According to a Gartner report in 2019, 87 per cent of employees complained that they weren’t fully satisfied and happy at work.

With things taking further adverse turns with the onset of the pandemic, mental health issues have become a key concern for employers. Remote work struggles, isolation,

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

lack of social connection, fear of infection and loss of loved ones have been the greatest stressors of mental health issues among employees. According to a survey by LinkedIn, more than half of India's (55%) employees are feel increasing stress at work. Therefore, it’s imperative that corporates invest in employee mental health and keep it at the forefront of their wellness initiatives.

Why Mental Wellness needs to be a Key Focus for Organisations There’s no doubt in the fact that awareness about mental health is rising among corporates but still, there are issues pertaining to discrimination and stigma surrounding mental health. Creating a positive work culture where mental health is openly talked about is critical and is the need of the hour for organisations. Here’s why:

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THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CAN BE DESCRIBED AS THE NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OR VIEW TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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Improved Engagement and Productivity People who are physically fit, tend to be healthier. The same applies to mental health.

People who are exposed to chronic stress in their daily work have a significantly higher chance of developing depression or anxiety. When companies invest in the mental wellbeing of their employees, it makes them mentally resilient to all kinds of stress.

This can improve decision making, thinking, relationships at work and workflow. All of these factors can contribute significantly towards better performance and productivity.

Studies have shown that when employees are happy, productivity can increase by as much as 12 per cent.

encourage and support the mental and emotional health of their workers can increase helpseeking behaviour. Providing resources to promote awareness can also help create a workplace that fosters engagement and attracts better talent.

A COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM IN THE WORKPLACE CAN NOT ONLY IMPROVE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BUT EQUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO AN ORGANISATION

Reduced Risks and Costs Promoting mental health in the workplace is also a wise decision in terms of financial gains for organisations.

Companies that effectively invest in mental health witness reduced absenteeism, disability claims and improved productivity. Dozens of studies have shown that carefully organized employee mental wellbeing programs reduce absenteeism rates for 78 per cent of employers. This in turn saves $3.27 to $6 on resulting costs for every dollar spent.

A healthy work environment also motivates employees and keeps them engaged with an organisation for longer periods of time. Without the implementation of such programs, the chances of burnout or stress can cause organisations to lose $125 to $190 billion annually.

Early Prevention and Treatment With the help of employee mental wellness programs, corporates can help in the early detection, prevention and treatment of mental health disorders among employees.

Early intervention is the process of offering specialist intervention and support to employees experiencing or demonstrating early symptoms of mental illness.

It is important to remember that majority of employees around the world spend nearly 60 per cent of their time at work. They have to constantly deal with numerous stressors like tight deadlines, worries relating to job security, personalities and behaviours of co-workers, management styles and much more. This can cause employees to feel stressed and overwhelmed with the pressure which ultimately leads to the development of anxiety or depression. However, early prevention steps can be taken to ensure that mental health disorders among employees are taken care of in the initial stages. By promoting increasing awareness, providing early interventions, fostering healthy lifestyles and providing effective stress management and mental health programs, employers can respond early to the warning signs of mental health issues.

Reduced Stigma The stigma around mental health can be described as the negative attitude or view towards people who are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. This can lead to discriminatory behaviour, harassment and even affect people’s beliefs and attitudes towards those suffering from mental health conditions.

By learning more about mental health, managers can create a positive working environment, minimising the risk of mental health issues like job stress. Workplaces that

Final Thoughts A comprehensive mental wellness program in the workplace can not only improve employee health but equally contribute to an organisation’s bottom line. Though it doesn’t work like magic and takes away all the worries but it effectively promotes a culture where mental health is recognised and given its dues importance in the work culture. With time, it can turn into an effective employee wellness program that can address numerous issues related to the mental wellbeing of employees.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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+91 33 4061 1086 October 2021

EXPERT OPINION

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Why Mental Health Breaks are Good for Your Job and Productivity?

Ayushi Mathur, Founder & CEO, Pickbetter Marketing

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

M Ayushi Mathur is an aspiring polymath and a multipassionate entrepreneur. She creates feel-good content around self-love, business mindset, self-improvement, and life goals to help people achieve their highest potential. She believes that our experiences and inner work is the blueprint of our subconscious programming.

She also has a podcast with a global audience of more than 1000 listeners. Ayushi’s podcast ‘Note to Self’ helps people become their best selves through selflove, self-compassion, and continuous self-improvement.

ental health and emotional well-being have become an increasingly talked about subject among the youth today. Paying attention to mental health as well as practicing a mindful routine to prevent problems are being adopted as habits by many people around the world. Yet somehow, it's still okay to expect people to show up at work leaving their mental health outside the door.

There's no one simple switch between struggling with a mental health issue and having good mental health. Hence, when employees as well as business owners continue to push themselves to work without taking proper measures to ensure emotional well-being, burnouts become inevitable.

A burnout does more long term damage to your work and productivity than taking a short break to recharge yourself.

Over the last few years, we have started glorifying and celebrating working long hours and feeling burnt out, especially right from an early age. What’s really happening is: We’re working harder, but not getting the results.

The key to productivity and business success is in taking mental health breaks. What actually gives companies a competitive advantage is: Creating a culture that lets employees take time away from work to care for themselves.

But what does a mental health break really mean?

A break can be as short as taking an hour off of all devices and practicing meditation or as long as taking a few days off of work to rejuvenate and address the problems you're facing.

A "break" is simply cessation of work to do something that helps you feel refreshed and recharged.

Here are 7 reasons why mental health breaks can actually help increase productivity at work: 1. Breaks help you add a distance between yourself and stress Experiencing stress at work is inevitable. When we have too much stress, it is impossible to produce quality work repeatedly. That’s why periodic breaks in between work can allow for a bit of decompression. If you work long hours, make sure you take short breaks often. You can practice breathing exercises, take a walk, read a few chapters from a book, or even get in touch with friends. Anything that reduces work stress will improve your productivity multiple fold over time.

2. Breaks help with increasing creativity Not taking a break from work can actually reduce your ability to be creative. Constant work can exhaust your brain’s cognitive capacity, preventing you from making creative decisions. Giving your brain time to rest and

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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recuperate just as we allow our bodies to rest after a marathon or weight training session, will energise you for the next tasks ahead.

3. Breaks reduce “decision fatigue” The need to make frequent decisions at work, throughout your day can take a toll on your reasoning ability as well as mental health. Working without breaks can lead to decision fatigue causing you to either procrastinate tasks or take simplistic decisions that are not great for your company. Taking breaks gives your brain the time to refresh between tasks, leading to better decisions and hence better productivity.

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There's no one simple switch between struggling with a mental health issue and having good mental health

4. Breaks provide a chance for you to refocus on your work Emails, meetings, and little activities that appear to lead us nowhere eat up much too much of the time we have for actual work. A short pause in the workday allows you to resume your day with more energy and clarity. This way, you can make an effort to devote the next block of time to a critical assignment while vowing to avoid distractions.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

5. Breaks help you re-evaluate your goals Taking even 10-15 minutes off every few hours to reassess your targets for the day can make a big difference in how your work day goes. We often have multiple tasks that require our attention, so by taking stock of what you’ve already achieved and what you need to get done by the end of the day sets you up for success and fulfilment.

6. Taking a break gives you time for other things Breaks do not have to mean meditation or sitting still every time. You also have the option of engaging in a fun activity during your mental health break. Playing games, whether video games, board games, or sports, can help you perform better at work. Activities like these help to stimulate your brain and reduce the risk of stress related cognitive decline, in addition to improving your work performance.

Aside from these, you have the option of sleeping and resting. Our brain activity does not stop while we sleep. Instead, as we begin to relax, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. The parasympathetic nervous system, often known as the "rest and digest" mode, serves to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone, balancing stress from the sympathetic nervous system's "fight or flight" reaction. This can prove to be incredible for your creative thinking process.

7. Taking a mental health break also improves your physical health: Working non-stop causes mental as well as physical stress on your body, which can be felt in your muscles, your jaw, your posture and your heart. As a result, headaches, stress in the neck and shoulders, tiredness, and poor sleep are just some of the symptoms that start manifesting. People feel less stressed when mental health days are properly implemented. Breaks ensure that you will be less affected by the bodily signs of excessive stress, eventually helping you stay productive long term.

With the advent of ‘work from home’ culture and unhindered digital connectivity, it has become difficult to draw a line between time that’s used for work and time that is meant only for a true break. We’re always thinking about work, even when we’re not actively at work. However, it’s important to remember that it is okay to take a break to support your mental health.

Besides increased productivity, breaks at work can have other advantages, such as increased job satisfaction, less stress, and enhanced mental health. Let’s stop glorifying hustle and burnout, instead focus on holistic personal growth which is only possible through balance.

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Higher Education Digest October 2020

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Work-Life Balance Tips to lead a Healthy Mental Life Dr. Nachiketa Sinha, Consultant Psychiatrist

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Dr. Nachiketa Sinha, consultant psychiatrist is a dedicated professional working towards breaking stigmas. Working in New Brunswick, Canada since 2006, he has been active in initiating important changes to mental health delivery systems and has a unique ability to bring different stakeholders together for a common goal. He is also known for playing an instrumental role in the introduction of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) in New Brunswick. Born in Patna and did his schooling at St. Michael’s High School, Dr.Sinha is a proud Bihari. A graduate in Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine from Karnatak University, Dharwad, India. At the recently concluded global conference of The International Forum for Advancements in Healthcare, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Sinha was recognized as the top 100 healthcare leader in the world

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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n this fast paced, new-age lifestyle, we observe a lot of people struggling to cope and maintain that balance between their work and regular life leading to a lot of unhealthy habits and mental issues. Mental health has been stigmatised time and time again and has taken a backseat in today’s society. To counteract these, good routine and healthy habits are needed. Some of these habits include prioritising your time, having set work and entertainment hours, playing to your strengths etc.

Yet, time has been proof that awareness alone isn’t always enough to have people lead a perfectly balanced lifestyle as it takes a lot of courage, discipline and regularity. Adding to the complex matrix of schedules, the pandemic has disrupted a lot of people’s routines by forcing them to stay indoors, skip exercise and other activities. Initially, it was observed that certain expectations about the possibility of working from home, was a positive factor which would promote work-life balance. However, over time, negative tendencies have also been revealed, as employees were only one call or message away from their employers, and uncertainty and leisure time with family often created more stress. Many organisations and individuals were not ready for the shift and thus, many mistakes were made, which further elevated the issue of a healthy balance between our work and our regular day-to-day lives. With such everchanging circumstances, a middle ground needs to be found so as to maintain the balance and counteract such situations healthily.

To ensure and attain a balance between work and life, people need to have ample breaks to hold oneself accountable to those times when they need rest. Simple acts like eating lunch with the family to unwind from time to time, going on a walk might also help. While on the work front, having a dedicated workplace in the house, trying to finish work during working hours and most importantly letting go of the idea that things will or should be the same before

Millennials need innovative steps and ideas to keep themselves engaged as they have more energy and need a healthy outlet for it

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Mental health has been stigmatised time and time again and has taken a backseat in today’s society

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the onset of COVID are some of the steps towards a healthy schedule. Free time should also be used very wisely as these hours directly affect your productivity in a lot of cases. Thus, pursuing something creative and active to make sure you are engaged like any other activity that you pursued before COVID hit is a must.

These coronial times have made us establish social distancing, also affecting the children and millennials of this generation massively. it is only becoming more evident that their mental wellness is being drained by the passing day, leading to increasing levels of anxiety, panic andstress, as this age group is accustomed to be out looking for new opportunities, pursuing their passions or having fun in general. Speaking of mental health challenges, one can observe that emotional distress is on the rise, especially after the outbreak of COVID-19. The statistics show a swell in the number of people affected with emotional distress and the situation is not turning better any soon. Thus, their mental health has taken a huge blow and the only way to avoid the negative consequences of these restrictions

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

is to have a systematic approach towards their daily schedules.

Millennials need innovative steps and ideas to keep themselves engaged as they have more energy and need a healthy outlet for it. Thus, recreational activities, playing games with family or friends, talking online with friends about their lives are some of the ways to keep themselves engaged and busy to tire themselves out.

Furthermore, any person suffering from anxiety or any other issue should practice having an open conversation with a close family member, friend or psychologist on a regular basis.

With increasing issues related to the complexities of our schedule due to external circumstances, just being aware is not going to be enough and we all need to consciously make amends in our everyday life. We need to replace redundant habits that are toxic to our mental health with credible and healthy ways to tackle our problems. We need to accept that change is the only constant and keep evolving towards a brighter future with a healthy, balanced schedule to avoid mental health issues and other issues that come along with it.

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

WHEN HOME BECAME THE NEW OFFICE: BALANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND REMOTE WORK Nirbhik Goel, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, VFS Global As the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at VFS Global, Nirbhik is responsible for streamlining the HR function, ensuring greater operational synergies between the HR

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function across all regions and support the CHRO in strategic HR matters and policy development. He is based in the organization’s Global Support Office in Dubai. A Human Resources professional with 29 years of experience comprising 16 years of leading the HR function globally for renowned service sector companies, including Hospitality (hotels) and Financial Services, Nirbhik brings with him expertise in several key HR functional areas such as Talent Management, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Performance Management, and Coaching and Mentoring. He has led large HR teams across multiple locations and been responsible for managing substantial HR budgets.

“I

just can’t seem to log off. I am working longer than ever before, which is putting a huge strain on my personal life. In turn, I am distracted in the Zoom meetings as there is no break or shift from the stressful environment I am in 24/7. I feel I am getting anxious and don’t feel like I am on top of things and most importantly happy, like I used to be.”

This chat with a colleague who chose to confide in me, lingered on long after the conversation was over and made me think harder about the new realities of working. As the pandemic intensified, millions of professionals had to suddenly embrace full time remote working. While it did bring with its certain advantages of reduction of commute times and better productivity, the hours of digital meetings

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

made maintaining a work-life balance more difficult than it already was.

Seeking the right balance beween the job, household chores, childcare and, in some cases financial uncertainty, were issues of major concern even before the pandemic. However, in the last year and a half, mental health to come to the centre of most ‘employee wellbeing’ conversations. The recent LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index highlighted balancing work with personal needs, ‘not making enough money’ and ‘slow career advancement (25%) as the biggest factors affecting the mental health of employees in the country.

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FIRMS SHOULD ADOPT A COMPANYWIDE MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND WORK TOWARDS REDUCING STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

THE HOURS OF DIGITAL MEETINGS MADE MAINTAINING A WORKLIFE BALANCE MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT ALREADY WAS

Burnout, anxiety, and a feeling of isolation, if not handled at the right time in the right manner can snowball into more serious, long-term consequences that are harmful not just to the employee but organisations as well.

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What causes mental health problems?

When you live and work in the same place, it's natural to feel like your life is playing on a loop. Most remote workers follow a routine that involves waking up, working and repeating this everyday, while being confined to the four walls of our homes. Such a lifestyle coupled with pertinent issues like job security, losing a loved one and being completely isolated, has only intensified mental health struggles.

Another factor that has contributed to employee mental health concerns is the blurring personal and professional lives, resulting in employee burnout. According to Microsoft’s October 2020 Work Trend Index survey, nearly one-third of Indian workers said that they have experienced increasing burnout during the critical months of the lockdown. Burnouts are expected outcomes of untimely work hours. The idea of working from ‘home’ made employees feel like they should be working longer hours to prove that they can be effective from the comfort and luxury of their homes with no time speant on commuting anymore. With hybrid work models becoming a part of the new normal, it has become imperative that organizations have a more holistic approach to employee wellness, and not evaluate corporate wellness programs solely by their return on investment (ROI). It is important for businesses and leaders to delve deeper into the changing paradigm of looking at workforce productivity and create a resilient workplace, one that places mental health at the core of it.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

What can organizations do?

The very first step in dealing with the stress of working from home is to remind employees that they are not alone in this situation. It is important to remember that human capital after all is ‘human’ first and requires care and support to thrive.

A recent analysis by Deloitte on the stock performance of the S&P 500 Index companies found that the companies that scored high on health and wellness, appreciated 135 percent compared to its peers.

While corporate organisations are increasingly becoming aware of the need for safeguarding their employees’ mental health needs, driving a change will be possible only with the support and participation of top management.

At an organisational level, firms should adopt a company-wide mental health strategy to raise awareness and work towards reducing stigma surrounding mental health discussions. Employers must assist their employees both in the short term (such as return to work) and in long-term situations. HR teams and function heads should encourage free communication, allow longer breaks and come up with creative ways to hold engaging meetings and events. The efficient use of technology can also help understand employee health better. For instance, using mind-mapping tools to assist their employees manage tasks and communicate more effectively.

A good example can be seen by GitLab - a firm based out of San Francisco that encourages their remote-only employees to take 'virtual coffee breaks' during work hours to stimulate collaboration and create a more comfortable work atmosphere. Similarly VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, organised Wellness Wednesdays for its workforce in Europe, an initiative wherein employees between the month of March to June received fortnightly newsletters with information and emphasis on stress management, hydration, sleep, mindfulness, self-care, walking, health & safety, and mental health. This was supported with an activity called Walky Talky, where employees went on a 15-minute walk with a colleague or friend to check on each other.

In a nutshell...

The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways impacted mental health but it also gives organizations the opportunity to redefine success of their human capital intiatives, and along with it, the way employees work and live. Employees are no longer associating long work hours with success and it’s important that organizations acknowledge the situation at hand and work towards making an industry-wide shift that places employees and their wellbeing at the center of it.

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

EXPERT OPINION

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Empowering Mental

Wellbeing for Employees Dr Sangeeta Kujur, Chief Medical Officer, AirAsia India

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

S Dr. Sangeeta Kujur is a Chief Medical Officer with AirAsia India since February 2015. She is an Aviation Medicine Specialist with an MD in Aviation Medicine from Institute of Aerospace Medicine, IAF, Bangalore. She completed her MBBS from St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore. Her journey in aviation began in 2005 with Kingfisher Airlines where she worked as a Medical Officer in Bangalore. As a Chief Medical Officer, she is responsible for the health and safety of all the employees. She is a First Aid Instructor, undertaking training for pilots, cabin crew and ground personnel. Additionally, she is also a DGCA approved Class II Medical examiner conducting medicals for aspiring pilots and cabin crew. Being a part of the Safety Dept, she is also involved in the Fatigue Management of the crew.

ince the first case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was diagnosed in December 2019, it swept across the world and galvanized global action. This presented strategic efforts to institute the practice of physical or social distancing in countries over the world resulting in changes in behavioral patterns and shutdowns of day-to-day functioning.

While these steps were deemed critical to mitigate the spread of the disease, they have undoubtedly led to both short-term and longterm consequences in the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. These consequences are of grave importance and sustained efforts focused on prevention and direct intervention are needed to address the impact of the outbreak on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals.

Mental health has surfaced as an important aspect in recent times, however the concern here is that employees are conceived as human capital. The involvement of employees should be a prominent concern for every organization.

Keeping employee morale high and maintaining their level of productivity can be a challenging task for employers. The mental health and wellbeing of employees should be a matter of concern for every organization, especially in the wake of the unforeseen circumstances that the past year has created.

At the grassroot level, it is important to know what mental health is. Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual can cope with everyday stressors, work productively, and reach their fullest potential. Mental health is an essential component of overall health. Together, they make up our internal equilibrium. The days of not talking about mental health are gone. Positive mental health is important because it allows us to cope with challenges and setbacks that we may face, both personally and professionally. Having good mental health gives us the ability to recognize, express, and regulate our emotions. It allows us to empathize with others and enables us to have basic cognitive and social skills. It helps us flourish in our roles, manage stress, and boost our resilience. Ultimately, it allows us to reach our highest potential. When it comes to empowering wellbeing at work, creating proactive options that help people improve and maintain their mental health is the key to help employees flourish.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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The days of not talking about mental health are gone

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of anxious, nervous, or bereaved workers owing to a sense of isolation caused by remote work, job insecurity, and health care. Individuals have become more cognizant about mental health and have begun treating it as a real, diagnosable condition that requires attention and support.

It is important to keep in mind that while we are all in this together, each person has unique life circumstances that may cause more or less acute concern. We cannot know who has vulnerable family members who may be at greater risk, or who already suffers from anxiety and experiences uncertainty and fear more acutely. Leading with compassion and empathy is more critical than ever before.

Practicing self-compassion during this time is also important. Be honest about how you’re truly feeling, and remember that if you’re not feeling well, you’re not only being kind to yourself by staying at home, but you’re protecting those you work with as well.

We have been promoting a Peer support program within the company. It is a safe space for employees to express their concerns with internally trained Peer Supporters related to work, health, finance or any other aspects. In case of critical situations, the peer supporters direct the employees to professional help.

To reduce the stress amongst employees, Internal talent and Managers have been arranging regular Zoom Connects along with Yoga, Meditation and Fitness sessions.

Research shows that mindful meditation can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression and can have a significant impact in the workplace.

Our brains have developed to focus on threats.

Meditation helps deactivate the emotional center of the brain which is responsible for emotional reactivity that keeps us hooked to news cycles and fuels chronic stress. When we help our brains stay grounded, we are better able to engage rationally.

Meditation works by helping people regulate emotions, changing the brain to be more resilient to stress, and improving stress biomarkers. To that end, yoga, meditation and fitness sessions are arranged at regular intervals at our workplace to alleviate stress.

Empowering the mental health and wellbeing of our employees as well as for each and every individual is the most critical need of the hour and we are committed to creating conducive, safe spaces that help them at all times.

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Steps that Companies can Take to Ensure the Mental Welfare of Employees Dr. P. K. Manglik, Psychiatrist

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Dr. P. K Manglik graduated from King George Medical University in 1988 and is a former Director of one of India's biggest Mental Hospital Bareilly Mental Hospital. He has been a research officer at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow and at Bhopal Gas Tragedy project. Besides he is a Life Member of Indian Epilepsy Association, Indian Association of Private Psychiatrist, Royal Society of Health (UK).

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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OVID-19 has proved to be an inflexion point for the 'future of work.' The paradigm shift towards work from home has sparked off concerns about the mental wellbeing of employees. A LinkedIn survey has highlighted that 39 percent of professionals reported an increased incidence of stress and anxiety during the lockdown. People-centric companies are now leaving no stone unturned to ensure the well-being of their workforce while keeping them motivated to ensure favourable business outcomes. The pandemic has also reaffirmed the significance of mental well-being as intrinsic to organisational values, employee experience, policies and benefits; it can’t be a piecemeal initiative. Prioritising the mental well-being of employees leads to happy workplaces with improved productivity, higher employee satisfaction and retention. While it may be challenging to make a beginning, the top leadership and HR professionals can take some measures to ensure the mental well-being of employeesOpen-door communication policy- Communication is a two-way street. Companies must strive to foster an ecosystem wherein employees do not feel intimidated to 'speak up. A comprehensive feedback and review mechanism for managers and juniors alike, helps foster accountability and leads to higher employee satisfaction. The top leadership should be easily accessible to the employees. Moreover, boardroom meetings should encourage every employee to give honest suggestions and feedback.

Sensitise managers on the role of mental wellbeing- It is imperative to sensitise managers on the significance of the mental well-being of their junior colleagues. Adequate training must be provided to make them approachable to every junior colleague. A good manager should be like a mentor who understands the strengths and weaknesses of every employee and bring out his best potential. It is to be noted that the 'onesize-fits-all approach won't work here; each employee is different and may respond to crisis differently. While some people are resilient, others might need extra support to tackle the crisis.

Devising a comprehensive mental health policy is vital for encouraging mental health conversations at the workplace

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Encourage work-life balance- Encouraging worklife balance is key to a healthy environment and a happy workplace. Measures such as flexible work hours, provision for recreational amenities, and mindfulness and

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

should be geared towards making all employees comfortable to give their suggestions. Assuming that all employees share common values and preferences may lead to the exclusion of some, triggering discontent and putting them at a higher risk of mental health issues.

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Companies must strive to foster an ecosystem wherein employees do not feel intimidated to speak up

yoga programs go a long way in helping employees cope with stress and anxiety.

Treat people fair: Treating people fair is often misunderstood as treating everyone equal. Every individual is unique, with a different emotional quotient. While some people may be assertive at the workplace, others might need an extra nudge to speak up and give their views and suggestions. Creative brainstorming sessions and meetings

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Encourage information-sharing and free screening: Empower your employees by granting them access to education and resources from national organisations such as NIMHANS open resources, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences and Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, The Banyan and the Minds Foundation, etc. A free information library of FAQs, dos and don'ts, how-to guides can serve as a starting point to prioritising mental well-being at the workplace. Similarly, free and anonymous screenings and questionnaires for employees can help them tackle mental health issues early on. It is heartening to see that several companies have already taken the lead in this direction through measures such as counselling, free access to resources, etc.

Devise mental health policy at the workplace: Devising a comprehensive mental health policy is vital for encouraging mental health conversations at the workplace.

Policies on anti-sexual harassment, bullying and mental illness, etc., will make a beginning to a happy workplace and lay down a framework for plugging gaps in mental wellness. The policy-making process should be democratic, considering the suggestions of every employee. Companies already having the mental health policy must review and update it from time to time to ensure it is in sync with the current needs.

Monitor Employee Engagement: Employee engagement is the best metric for a happy workplace. It fosters an ecosystem where each employee feels valued, respected and realises his worth to an organisation.

Initiatives such as Fun Fridays, annual offsite, free gym subscription, indoor sports at the workplace keep employees motivated and engaged. The more motivated the employee is, the lesser the chances of his dissatisfaction. Investing in employee engagement creates a win-win situation for companies and employees alike, creates a healthy work environment and positions them as a sought-after employer.

Companies that prioritise employee well-being simultaneously reap benefits such as improved productivity, business outcomes, and a happy workplace, becoming a sought-after employer for the country's brightest minds.

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

HOW REMOTE WORKING HAS IMPACTED EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH Samira Gupta, Image Consultant, Executive and Life Coach

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Coach Samira Gupta is an accomplished Executive Presence Coach, Life Coach (PCC-ICF), National Award-Winning Image Consultant & Leading Corporate Facilitator. She is the founder of Auraa Image Management & Consulting, a leading Corporate Training Firm. Coach Samira has personally coached over 500 individuals and trainer over 1.2 L corporate professionals. She assists her clients in achieving their personal and professional goals through her 25 plus years of experience, skills, education, certifications, practical tools & techniques.

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t’s up to you today to start making healthy choices.

Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind.”― Steve Maraboli Last year has been very unprecedented for many professionals. Unfortunately, their lives were impacted severely once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and nationwide lockdowns forced organizations to adopt remote work, turning homes into workplaces.

These days, remote working is perhaps one of the biggest concerns for professionals. Although it sounded

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

great to work from home while the world was enduring the pandemic, the reality was a lot severe than we could've thought. Working from home has driven us into unhealthy habits and damaged our mental health.

This may have not affected everyone, of course, but the vast majority of remote professionals felt it throughout the pandemic last year.

People who work from home mostly experience feelings of isolation, depression, burnouts and struggle to maintain a work-life balance. Also, overworking

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REMOTE WORKING IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO PUSH YOURSELF FURTHER THAN YOU GENERALLY WOULD DO WHILE WORKING FROM THE OFFICE

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

and not setting boundaries in a remote environment can create many unhealthy habits that'll lead to poor mental health. In this article, we're going to talk about the importance of your well-being while remote working and how professionals can progress in their careers despite the challenges of remote working.

How can remote working impact employees' mental health?

Remote working can affect employee's mental health in many ways, such as: Loneliness When working remotely, individuals can feel lonely due to a lack of coworkers' presence or a normal workplace environment. Some employees may significantly suffer from this as they are used to deriving energy from those around them.

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GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO RELAX IN BETWEEN WORK SESSIONS

Isolation Feelings of isolation are also due to being stuck at home. This increases stress levels and brings a sense of detachment to both individual's and the company work, which have a negative effect on emotional well-being.

Depression Working remotely leads to depression and can have farreaching effects. The symptoms of depression include bursts of anxiety, anger, agitation, high cravings for food, unexplained physical problems like headaches and back pain, etc.

Burnout Working remotely can be easily exuded into an employee's personal time. Primarily, remote professionals work for longer hours and feel they have to contribute more because they aren't working from the office. This lack of work-life balance can also lead to high stress levels, which can turn to burnout if it's not resolved.

How to overcome the challenges of remote working?

Your mental health well-being is crucial when working remotely. Burnouts, depression, isolation can easily affect people working from home. There are real consequences of remote working, especially if you're not prepared. Therefore, it's essential to take better care

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

of your mental health. Here are some tips for employees to take care of their mental well-being when working from home.

Make a fixed schedule Although several remote employees say that a flexible schedule is the biggest benefits of working from home, not sticking to a fixed schedule is harmful in many ways. When you have a fixed schedule, it’s much more easier for your mental well-being as you can get more done within the time lines, saving you from working beyond office hours.

Set goals but make sure they're realistic It's difficult to keep track of your workloads, while working remotely. You may work for longer hours to complete the task which may lead to stress. Therefore, setting achievable goals, can boost your motivation.

Find out the most productive hours of the day and challenge to finish all critical tasks within that period.

This habit will help you achieve more and feel motivated for the next day.

Take regular breaks When you're comfortable working in a home environment, it's easy to forget to take a break.

Therefore, take regular intervals every now and then to ensure that you don't overwork yourself. Give yourself time to relax in between work sessions. This could mean taking 3 deep conscious breaths, stretching your neck, taking a small walk around your house or getting a nice cup of tea for yourself.

Set up a comfortable work environment In order to stay focused and relaxed, a work like set up is essential. Avoid slouching on the bed with your laptop in your laps. As insignificant as it may sound, your body posture has a direct impact on your productivity. A poor posture may lead to fatigue sooner and can cause pains in the body. Hence, ensure that you have a comfortable chair and your desk is organized with plenty of storage, stationery and water to keep yourself hydrated. Also, make sure that your laptop or computer is placed at a comfortable height.

Communicate It's good to remember that you can still communicate and engage with your colleagues, despite working

from home. It can help lift your mood and be more productive. Use message applications or social media platforms, video calls, and regular voice calls in order to stay in touch with coworkers and communicate effectively with your seniors. Keeping regular touch with your peers and coworkers helps build trust, strengthen the bond and feel supported.

Avoid distractions Distractions can often extend your working hours and make it hard to stay focused on your work.

Being productive while working from home can be challenging for some professionals. Several distractions such as kids, household chores, pets, and easy access to a TV can stop remote workers from achieving as their goals. One of the biggest challenges is social media. To avoid distractions, prepare a to-do list, based on their priority and start working on it. Once you accomplish one fourth of your tasks, take a short break and get back to working again.

Long pending tasks can make you feel burdened and unaccomplished, contributing to poor mental health.

Set boundaries Remote working is not an excuse to push yourself further than you generally would do while working from the office. Make sure that you set your boundaries, understand your limits and stick to a regular schedule in order to avoid overworking yourself. Therefore, set boundaries and say no to extra work after your office hours.

It's not easy to determine the best course of action to take while working remotely. You need to identify the problems that concern you the most, talk about them, seek help from your co-workers, focus on what you can do about them and create a plan with baby steps to a motivated mental health.

You can take these small steps to develop better habits to improve your remote working productivity along with your mental well-being. Maintain work-life balance and adjust your daily workflow and always remember to prioritize your mental health. Try to avoid negative thoughts and distractions. When you're aware of the causes, it becomes easy for you to address and fix the issues impacting your mental health while working from home. You also need to understand that change takes time because improving your wellness doesn't happen overnight. Be patient and trust the process.

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EXPERT OPINION

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How Does Someone with Mental Illness View the Modern Workplace Today?

Piali Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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Multi-award winning marketing and communication leader with over 14 years of crosscategory experience across media, e-commerce, retail and real estate. Cultivated skill sets in strategising and driving branding, imagery, brand positioning, brand architecture, customer segmentation, PR and corporate communication, storytelling, campaign creation, digital marketing, performance marketing, offline marketing across ATL and BTL.

t’s 9 AM. She can barely get up, let alone look at work mails. She has had crying bouts till 3 AM, and a night of restlessness. But her first meeting is at 9.30 AM, and before that there are mails to check, when all she wants to do is curl up in bed and sleep. Getting off the bed, brushing her teeth, wearing something suitable for work zoom calls, combing her hair, all seem like Herculean tasks to her. So, she will pick just one. She will just try to get off the bed. And then start work.

Not necessarily because she wants to. But because she has to.

That “she” is me. On many days. I have lived with clinical depression and anxiety for over 23 years now. This dual disease has become a part of my life. And while it doesn’t define me entirely, it’s certainly a part of me, and I would have to be naïve to deny that.

There are 792 million people like me across the world, silently battling one or more mental illnesses every single day of their lives. At work, most of their colleagues don’t know about the demons they are battling. Because, they show up. Deliver. Perform. Meet targets. Meet timelines.

And do everything that the rest do. And sometimes a lot more.

These are high functioning people with depression and anxiety. Who don’t let this crippling illness impact their work. And as a result, no one really believes that they are struggling every minute from within. And that makes it harder for them to live with the disease because they are expected to be just like everyone else when their minds are not really like everyone else’s.

Now, let’s look at a situation where an employee with a debilitating mental illness is not able to perform optimally.

Most mental illnesses are characterised by symptoms such as difficulty in concentrating, feeling overwhelmed by work, seclusion, loss of interest, anger, irritation, which makes navigating corporate life an extremely challenging task.

Besides some tokenism such as four-day work week that certain companies announced during the second wave of the pandemic in India, only to go back to a five day week after a few months, what sort of support are organisations offering mentally ill people? The answer is nil.

The bias against the mentally ill Most mentally ill people are extremely reluctant to disclose their illness at work. And for good reasons. With the general stigma, shame and apathy around mental illness very much a reality even in 2021, many fear that if they reveal their illness at work, it would actually work against them. They would be seen through the lens of “what a mentally ill person is supposed to be like.” And more importantly, their illness will become their identity and the company will look at them as a “liability” more than an “asset.” This is the harsh truth.

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One has heard of cases where people with mental illness have been dismissed from work, and perfectly deserving candidates have not been given the job when they have revealed their illness in the interview. So, this bias against mentally ill people at work is very real although it is against the law to discriminate on the basis of gender, race or physical and mental illness. And this is not being talked about enough.

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The anatomy of the problem I am quite fortunate to be currently working with a wonderfully empathetic CEO, who brings to work a generous dose of EQ. He doesn’t claim to understand entirely what goes on in the mind of a mentally ill person, and yet is understanding and thoughtful in his gestures.

But a lot of large organisations that I have worked with don’t necessarily have a leadership that possesses even a fundamental awareness on how to deal with or manage someone with a mental illness. I have come across quite a few C-suite leaders who neither have the time nor the inclination to delve into how a mentally ill person in his/her team is dealing with work and work pressure, what could be potential trigger points for the person and what can he/she do to support the person. And this is more the rule than the exception, quite frankly.

And so, more often than not, if you are going through depression, and as a result of which, you are a recluse at work, not seen at work parties, for example, or not the sort of person that brings in a lot of “positive energy” (because you are in a battle with your own mind 24/7), you are likely to be labelled by your colleagues and teams as “not a team player,” or “not fun to be around,” etc.

And that is bound to push clinically depressed people further into their shells, making them feel hugely demotivated at work, leaving them with a feeling of being “not good enough” or “a misfit” which are feelings they anyway struggle with.

As a result of this, a person going through anxiety, for example, will end up working harder to prove herself, and end up overcompensating all the time at work. I have seen mentally ill high performers beat themselves up for the slightest of misses at work, because they are constantly struggling with the feeling of being inadequate.

There is more. The Indian corporate set up is not a stranger to poor work-life balance and toxic work cultures. Now, for someone who is already mentally ill and barely scraping through life, imagine the mental pressure office politics or toxicity is likely to create.

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Mental health is a spectrum We have to understand that mental health is a spectrum.

On one end of that spectrum are people who are mentally fit and taking care to maintain optimum levels of mental fitness. And on the opposite end of the spectrum are people who are mentally ill. In between are people who go through phases of mental stress but have not been diagnosed with a mental illness.

For those who are diagnosed and are ill, the current India Inc. set up is hardly conducive.

Several countries in the West including the United States are working steadfastly on making policy changes at work to ensure that the work set-up is more conducive for mentally ill people. Some of the initiatives include reworking the performance review model in a way that it suits mentally ill people. It could mean revisiting project goals, timelines, newer ways of measuring what success looks like and so on. And this, I believe, is what is likely to move the needle.

It truly has to go beyond offering a 4-day work week for three months. Because a 4-day work week is being offered to all employees. But what is being specifically done for those that are mentally ill?

It takes all kinds I also want to make a point on Diversity and Inclusion at workplace. A lot has been said about this topic. But diversity is not just about having 50% women in the board room, and hiring a female CEO. That is just gender diversity, and certainly important. But real diversity is about all kinds of diversity. Are you, as a company, proactively hiring people from the LBGTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and people with mental illnesses? To me, that is diversity. And unless we actively create a truly diverse workplace, we are not encouraging plurality of thoughts, ideas and opinions, resulting in unilateral, one- dimensional approach to business and business problems, which is usually the perfect recipe for failure of a brand and a business.

People with mental illness bring to the table a perspective that is unique and often unpopular. They are usually the ones in the boardroom going, “I don’t think that will work.” They say no more than they say yes because they tend to focus a lot more on the “cons” than the “pros.”

Often, the “cons” end up being the blind spots that many overlook, resulting in faulty business decisions.

People with mental illness look at the world very differently. And sometimes, that could actually be a superpower. As the great Steve Jobs said, “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits…”

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CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

What Workplace Practices are Impacting an Employee's Mental Health?

Dr. Satish Kumar CR, Consultant - Clinical Psychology, Manipal Hospital

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C.R Satish Kumar is a Research scholar from Maastricht University, Netherlands.

Currently he is practicing as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Manipal hospitals, Bangalore. He completed his MPhil Clinical Psychology from PGIBAMS and holds RCI license.

He specializes in child, adolescent and adult psychology. He has more than 8 years of work experience in this domain. He has 15 International publications of research articles based on depression, anxiety and stress and currently working on 2 research projects. His main focus is on E-mental health, Behavioural medicine and positive psychology. He has been working on developing mobile based apps for improving mental health in the past few years.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

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orkplace stress is a real threat to both the physical and mental well-being of a person and its implications cannot be overlooked anymore.

The World Health Organization has recognized the need of promoting awareness on the topic and has defined it as ‘the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures that are not matched to their knowledge and abilities and which challenge their ability to cope.’ If reports are to be believed about 1 in 7 Indians are affected by workplace stress, much higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 1 in 6 employees. It is high time, we as a society realize the importance of the condition and work together in creating a better workplace environment.

“Unhealthy work environment is prevalent in several organizations in India. Such organizations failed to appreciate the value of promoting the mental health of their employees.

Because of the poor workplace environment, there is an increase in the rate of attrition, absenteeism, reduced motivation leading to high work pressure, frustration, anxiety, stress, and depression. It is a vicious cycle which needs to be addressed at organizational level.”

Sound mental health is required both at work and home.

People with good mental health cope with challenges more effectively than people with poor mental health. There are several advantages of positive mental health. It helps to manage everyday stress, take up new roles and responsibilities, have social and cognitive skills, empathize with other people, controlling emotions, and improve resilience. People with positive mental health use their skills at full potential at work and reach greater heights in career. The effect of poor mental health at the workplace may result in: ● Reduced productivity and performance ● Physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion ● Disengagement, mistrust, and absenteeism ● Social isolation and reduced communication ● Poor decision-making

Every organization should stress the importance of a healthy work-life balance

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Workplace Practices Impacting Mental Health Some of the workplace practices that impact the mental health of employees are: ● Organizational culture: A positive culture helps the employees to flourish and work with their full potential.

Organizations with the frequent urgent delivery of services or products have employees with poor mental health. It results in mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

● Job stress: Pressure of performing at all times in their jobs puts undesired stress on the employees. It results in increased workload, physical exhaustion, and reduced mental health. The person may experience insomnia, a high sickness rate, increased risk of accidents, and increased consumption of alcohol and caffeine. ● Low psychological support: There is inadequate psychological support from seniors and co-workers.

Perception of low psychological support may result in reduced productivity, absenteeism, conflict, and withdrawal behaviours. ● Absence of clear vision: Organizations should make clear expectations from their employees. There should be a clear vision, and the policies to achieve that vision must be communicated to the employees. An instrumental approach by the management and preferring a short-term goal and avoiding long-term picture causes poor mental health in employees. ● Absence of recognition and reward: No reward or recognition to the employees for their achievement reduces the trust of employees in the organization and lowers down their confidence. It results in exhaustion and emotional distress that results in psychological disorder and a high attrition rate.

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● Less opportunity for growth and development: Employees have reduced productivity at their workplace if there is a lack of the right opportunities for growth and development. A challenging environment helps the employees growing professionally and financially reduces conflict, distress, and disengagement. ● Reduced employee engagement: If the employees perceive that they have either no or limited role in the decision-making, they feel a sense of distress and helplessness. It results in reduced morale, high attrition, low productivity, and poor mental health. ● Poor work-life balance: Prolonged conflict in worklife balance causes significant mental health disorders.

Such employees are at increased risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Work-life stress may cause loss of temper, physical absence and constant fatigue. ● Harassment and discrimination: Workplace harassment, bullying, and violence negatively affect the mental health of the employees. These include verbal

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

People with good mental health cope with challenges more effectively than people with poor mental health

abuse, sexual harassment, threats, mobbing, and physical attacks. Discrimination based on colour, ethnicity, and gender also impacts mental health.

employees. Organization promoting skill acquisitions and adequate training increases employee well-being and job satisfaction.

● Job insecurity: Job insecurity, especially during the current pandemic, is a significant stressor in employees. This results in a feeling of distrust, low motivation, reduced productivity, and disengagement.

● Rewards and recognition: The employees should be appreciated and rewarded for their efforts.

It will increase work engagement, energy, enthusiasm, and pride.

Promoting Mental Health at Workplace Organizations and higher management personnel should implement policies that prevent mental breakdowns and promote mental health. Some of the measures for enhancing mental health are:

● Training to manage mental stress: The organizations should provide appropriate training to the employees. It will help in managing mental distress.

Persistent mental stress may result in mental disorders.

● Creating a healthy working environment: Organizations should develop a conducive environment for employees to improve productivity. There should be an employee assistance program that helps them manage relationship challenges, legal issues, and health problems. ● Employee engagement: Employees should be involved in the decision-making system. Employees should have the right to raise their voices. The communication channels should be in place so that the employees reach the right person when needed. ● Growth and development: Appropriate growth and development opportunities should be given to the

● Unambiguous job specification: Organizations must clear their expectations from the employees.

Communication of a clear job description to the employees improves mental health. ● Promote work-life balance: Every organization should stress the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Apart from restricting working hours every day, different wellness programs should be encouraged and practised. For example, serving healthy meals at the cafeteria, promoting healthy sitting posture, screen break, stretching time at regular intervals should be promoted. Taking weekends off from the office work completely should be frowned upon or looked down upon. Spending quality time with family and friends should be encouraged.

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

WHY IT’S TIME FOR BUSINESS LEADERS TO COME TOGETHER ON MENTAL HEALTH Sonica Aron, Founder & Managing Partner, Marching Sheep

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Sonica Aron is the Founder and Managing Partner of Marching Sheep, an HR advisory firm specializing in Strategic HR advisory, Diversity and inclusion interventions and capability building. An XLRI post graduate, Sonica has worked with companies like Pepsico, Vodafone, Roche Diagnostics and ICI paints. She started her career with a sound understanding of business where she went route-riding with Pepsico and was part of the team that launched Pepsi 200 ml at Rs 5. She was the first lady HR Manager stationed at a factory in Upcountry UP and there the seeds to her diversity practice were born.

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here has been significant increase in the focus on mental health issues. There are more people having conversations and discussions around it, urging the society to drop the taboo and the stigma associated with mental illnesses and so on. And yet, the battle is not yet won.

As per the Deloitte Global Millennial survey 2020, an alarming 48 per cent of Gen Z and 44 per cent of millennials feel stressed or anxious on a majority of occasions. The reasons range from long-term career goals, financial outlook, family welfare, and environmental concerns.

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

Well, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the stigma around mental health in workplaces and the society still persists because as revealed by a survey, approximately half of the percentage who took some time off from work due to job related stress provided a different reason for their absence. Many people struggling with anxiety or panic attacks often shy away from even sharing about their condition with friends and family members for fear of being judged, being seen as weak, being mocked or ridiculed.

WHO also estimates that about 7.5 per cent Indians suffer from some mental disorder and predicted that

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THE CLOUD KITCHEN MODEL HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY & HAS OFFERED A PERFECT PLATFORM FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEUR TO VALIDATE THEIR PRODUCT AND PRODUCT-MARKET FIT IN A COMPARATIVELY CAPITAL-EFFICIENT WAY

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by end 2020 roughly 20 per cent of India suffered from mental illnesses. According to the numbers, 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety disorders.

WHO also estimates that, in India, the economic loss due to mental health conditions between 2012-2030 will be $1.03 trillions.

With mental health conditions on a steep rise, and a whole new normal to grapple with, it is critical for business leaders, now more than ever, to take the required action on mental health in the workplaces.

Here are a few ways in which the employers can carry out the practice and support the working professionals: ● Normalize mental health: The initial step is turning out to be ardently devoted to establishing

CXO OUTLOOK October 2021

organizational culture and environment that normalizes the matter of mental health. Perhaps, the pandemic has caused some sort of distress to almost everybody.

Hence, the universality of the experience can lead to a decline in stigma only if people, especially the ones with influence, share their experiences and be honest about their mental health struggles.

Supporting employees’ psychological and emotional well-being also implies facilitating training for managers on how to support their team members who are battling with their mental health. One needs to move past just setting up the right tools in place and actually focus on altering the culture of the organisation to normalize and embrace the use of these tools. Be it building a psychologically safe team environment

THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN WORKPLACES AND THE SOCIETY STILL PERSISTS

or blocking therapy appointments in the calendar or sharing experiences with burnout, business leaders need to set an example. After all, it’s about walking the walk and leading with empathy. ● Don’t hesitate to be flexible and inclusive: Understand that the circumstances, employees’ requirements as well as your own needs as a leader will keep on evolving. So, keep a regular check on your employees, particularly at transition points. You can help in tackling the issues provided that you know what’s going on. Such open discussions will offer you a chance to emphasize standards and practices that support mental health. Try not to make assumptions concerning what your immediate reports need; they will undoubtedly require different things on different occasions. Adopt a personalized strategy to address stressors like the pressure of working beyond dedicated hours or challenges with regards to the family.

Proactively offering flexibility is key. For instance, you might have to investigate your guidelines and standards around flexible hours, paid time off, email and other communications, and paid and unpaid leaves.

Be as liberal and sensible as could practically be expected. And know that being flexible doesn’t really mean lowering performance expectations or the standards of your organization. In fact, the accommodating factor will, in turn, help you and your team to flourish amid challenging times as everyone will feel taken care of.

Normalize this adaptability by highlighting how, being a leader, you’ve changed your own behavior. Request the professionals to be patient and understanding with each other as they adjust. They are depending on you and will recall how you treated them during their bad phase of life. ● Communicate more than what is required: According to what stated in Harvard Business Review, workers who felt that their supervisors were not open about having conversations beyond what is needed have been 23 per cent more likely to experience mental health issues than others, especially after the pandemic took the world by storm. Ensure that you keep your staff informed with regard to any changes or updates.

Eliminate pressure where possible by setting realistic expectations about workloads, prioritizing work, and understanding what can be shifted if not critical. Make the professionals mindful of accessible mental health resources and urge them to utilize them. If you’ve shared the resources once, don’t sit back and relax, keep on sharing them at regular intervals. ● Track and monitor: Keeping a check on the employees with mental health issues need not be a complicated process. It can be easily taken care of by rolling out surveys at regular intervals to understand how team members are faring now and over time. Direct one on one connects from team members will help in building trust, strengthening bonds, and smoothening team communication and way of working.

The bottom line Together, we will have to work to transform the manner in which we view mental health. And no place is more significant than the workplace where we spend a large part of our waking hours. Today, business leaders possess more influence than they used to as today’s talent wants to work for organizations that value mental health, prioritize diversity, inclusion, and support them in all facets of life.

Therefore, how about we utilize this opportunity to build the mentally and emotionally healthy working environments that ought to have existed from the beginning.

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EXPERT OPINION

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Importance of Mental Health Rajiv Naithani, Chief Human Resources Officer, Infogain

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I Rajiv Naithani, an expert on building resilient and highperforming cultures, is currently leading the people function at Infogain as Chief Human Resources Officer. Rajiv takes a human-centered philosophy to delivering employee experiences at scale, creating meaningful impact to employees in the US, India, UK, Poland, Singapore, and Middle East. Rajiv has played a transformative role throughout 16-plus years, enriching the people function in senior leadership roles at Dassault Systèmes, GlobalLogic, HCL, and Interglobe Technologies (IGT).

Rajiv graduated from the Xavier School of Management (XLRI) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Pauri Garhwal Trust, dedicated to the development of underprivileged people in Uttarakhand State, India.

t has been over a year, and a half since the first confirmed case of Covid19 was reported in India. Since then, we have experienced two waves, where the second wave was devastating with a high number of cases and fatalities.

Amid all the uncertainty around the third wave with its health infrastructure situation, the country's one silver lining is the increased vaccination drive.

The impact has been such that it has brought employee well-being to the forefront for the corporates, altering the way corporates have been operating. Corporates have become humane organizations, and for the first time in the employee benefits proposition, wellness and employee assistance plans have become the organizations' key priorities.

Organizations that put the people at the very center of their business strategies will eventually be better than others from a mid-term to long-term journey perspective. The overall focus has been on the well-being of the employees from a physical, mental, emotional, and financial health perspective.

I believe this trend is here to stay, and companies will continue to improve their offerings.

Mental Health – Issues & Solutions: There are various factors which have affected the mental wellbeing of the employees in recent times. Some of them are: 1. The pandemic caused panic among people, with respect to their safety, resulting in increased levels of stress. The condition of the overall health infrastructure in India has only added to the woes of people.

2. Since the pandemic's beginning, most of the workforce across the industries have had to remote work/work from home. In some cases, it has increased the number of hours, and people are working odd hours or extended hours. Stretched and continuous work pressure has caused large-scale anxiety among the employees.

3. Remote or work from home has also blurred work and personal time, affecting the work-life balance.

4. Accessibility to better health infrastructure, including the availability of vaccination, has added to the overall mental wellbeing of the employees.

5. In some cases, employees are expected to operate from the office or client location, which has caused anxiety in employees' minds, resulting in mental stress and perceived threat to their well-being.

6. The prolonged remote working and stretched hours, including online classes of children and day-to-day support to the entire family, have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of working women. It has led to impact their performance at work as well as relationships too.

A recent study by Qualtrics on mental health revealed that nearly 70% of employees reported higher stress levels, and over 40% of remote works say their mental health has declined. Similarly,

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according to a study by payroll and HCM technology provider ADP, creating a safe home working environment and stress management were employees' most significant challenges by around 12%, followed by maintaining productivity (9%) and building relationships (7%).

To assist employees in managing mental health, companies have started taking some of the measures to help employees manage their mental well-being better, and these are as follows: 1. Policies around no collaborative meetings beyond a specific time for employees to help create personal space for employees.

2. Enhanced or increased communication to employees to provide them regular updates and reinforcing the company's commitment to overall employee well-being, including organizing regular sessions on managing stress and anxiety.

3. Companies are making the virtual connection and engagement very personal to employees and even taking the engagement, connect and relationships to the employees' families. It has helped in building a better relationship and addressing the employee's concern proactively. There has been an increased reach out by top management and leadership in assisting employees in dealing with work challenges in covid times.

4. Companies have introduced better mental health policies and signed up with mental healthcare providers to provide expertise. For instance, many companies, such as Infogain have not only introduced the employee assistance plan schemes but have also made access to doctors and counselors easier in a proactive manner.

5. In the last 18 months, employees have hardly taken much vacation time and have spent more of their time working. To address this, companies have mandatorily introduced paid time off and break of specific days to help employees rejuvenate and unwind.

6.Experience is defined by our ability to become a humane organization demonstrating compassion and empathy in our dealings with stakeholders, especially employees. Leveraging technology and human touch in a virtual environment could help organizations deliver differentiated employee experiences in this remote/hybrid working model. Besides building human-centered organizations, leveraging technology and human touch in a virtual environment could help organizations deliver differentiated employee experiences to employees.

In conclusion, I would say the most significant shift has been the way employees are treated now. Companies are putting the word “Human” back into Human Resources.

Companies and their leadership have only become empathetic to employees' needs and their overall well-being. This level of commitment to employees' well-being was not seen earlier, and it is expected to continue for a longer time.

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PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

The Importance of Psychological Well-Being for Working Women Geeta Ramakrishnan, Ontological Coach and Author

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Geeta Ramakrishnan is an ontological coach, who has authored Amazon’s #1 Bestseller book, ‘The Game of Change’. This book brings together her rich experience of having interacted and coached people over the past few decades.

Her coaching focus has primarily been on change management and assisting people professionally and personally, to help bring to their lives a balance of success and happiness or in other words, help them discover their ‘AHA’ moment.

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ear working woman, In this fast paced life, managing a holistic lifestyle can be difficult. Especially as you juggle your career, your home, and personal time, it can lead to easy development of stress and fatigue. Wanting to be perfect, we play the game of life by allowing ourself to be sucked out of every ounce of energy in everything we do. It means we are left with very little energy for ourselves, and hardly any time to replenish it. Adding to it, the hurdles we have to face as women cannot be ignored, and they are enough to fester anxiety and forms of depression at times.

Apart from wanting to succeed in every aspect of our lives, we, as women, also need to make our psychological well-being a priority. Being mentally fit and happy not only helps you focus more on all your tasks and responsibilities, it also enables you to feel more confident and live a healthier, more composed life overall.

Understanding Psychological Well-Being Today, when expectations from individuals, especially women, are so high, keeping our calm, giving some self-love and appreciating our own efforts becomes challenging. We start doubting our capabilities, focus on our flaws, and give in to anxiety easily. It’s not that we are not capable of handling challenging situations; we need to sharpen our mental mindset and focus our energy to address them calmly and efficiently. Your mental well-being is extremely important to help you keep your composure in tough times and manage your emotions.

Many people tend to run away from their problems by ignoring them altogether, procrastinating, blaming others for their problems, accepting them unwillingly and being in resentment, or giving in to short lived stress coping activities like smoking or drinking.

While these help our mind escape the pressure of the situation, it is never a long term solution. Unless you start working on your psychological well-being, you cannot expect things to get better. It has to begin from within, and it has to begin now.

You are only human and you don’t have to be afraid of making mistakes

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Working Women & Quality of Life Many studies suggest that women who have a professional career or job have as many challenges and

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success and satisfaction in their lives as the women who engage in house making tasks alone. Not that being a home-keeper and full time mom is any less empowering.

This study only helps solidify the fact that the stress in our lives is not because we have to focus on both our careers and homes at the same time. If anything, a career or job gives you more confidence and financial independence.

So why do working women struggle with their psychological well-being?

Unless you start working on your psychological well-being, you cannot expect things to get better

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It is because we are often overwhelmed by the sheer pressure that comes with juggling multiple tasks from our professional and personal lives. Women have to work twice as hard as men to get the same recognition and respect at work, and they have always been known to contribute more at home than their male spouses.

Amidst this hustle of wearing all the hats at once, we sometimes forget to take off the hats and relax.

Many working women prioritize work, family and then themselves, resulting in continuous physical and mental

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fatigue. Their body and mind also need some recharging– something we fail to notice or acknowledge until it starts showing up as life-style diseases like PCOS, weight gain, fatigue, digestion issues, diabetes and hypertension to name a few.

How do you boost your psychological well-being?

The most common question that all life coaches are asked is “How do we recharge our mind?”

I believe we are one whole of part mind and part body, and respecting both our body and mind while tending to them is a big gap we miss out on. In order to build and enhance your psychological well-being, you have to identify what makes you feel relaxed, gives you joy, and does not completely exhaust your mind in the process.

A life coach or therapist can only help you identify what makes you happy, what can you let go in that process, and how to engage in activities that bring you positive energy and joy, it is you who has to make the change.

Make relaxation a part of your routine Some people plan a mini vacation, leisure trip, or spa visit to rejuvenate, while others choose to volunteer time for a social cause. Even despite COVID, you can be creative and look for ways to pamper and enrich yourself. Invest time in self-care and keep a grooming day for long baths with aroma oils and candles perhaps.

Invest some time in upgrading your skills, or try catching up on hobbies you didn’t think you had time for. These periodical escapes from the routine not only help you come back with a fresh renewed energy and more excitement, they also give the much needed break from your stressful routine.

Include physical exercise or workout in your day if your job demands you sitting for long hours. Jumping jack done 20 times before your bath, add some deep slow breathing, all of which can take a total of 5 minutes of your time. This will help keep your body and mind active throughout the day. Set aside some time for reading books, walking in the garden or park, cooking something delicious, or just sitting in the balcony sipping your favorite beverage. Give yourself time to unwind on a daily basis, and you will witness reduced stress and anxiety.

So stop to breathe.

Relax.

You are only human and you don’t have to be afraid of making mistakes. Make sure to learn from them and move on. Keeping your physical and psychological well-being as a priority can bring you more confidence and happiness.

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PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Employee Mental Health in the Pandemic Alma Chopra, Life Counselor

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“I have conquered Cerebellar Ataxia, and now I am conquering the world, one day at a time. “These are the words of Ms. Chopra, an entrepreneur, an internationally based Inspirational speaker, and an experienced life counselor, who likes to lead her life by example. Combining her wit and creativity with her spiritual knowledge, she is inspiring people to stay positive and has dedicated her life to giving back to others.

As per Alma, bringing a smile to someone’s face is what motivates her.

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"H

e who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything," this phrase cannot be more accurate in light of the pandemic that has wreaked havoc in our lives, disrupting our routines, education, recreation, livelihoods, and mental health. The COVID-19 epidemic and the ensuing economic downturn have had a severe impact on many peoples' mental health and created additional hurdles for those who already suffered from mental illness and drug use disorders.

In addition to the underlying difficulties that individuals were dealing with, factors such as lockdown, income loss, fear of catching the virus, and physical separation further amplified anxiety, stress, despair, stigmatization, and xenophobia.

The worst affected were the employees as the pandemic led to major business disruption. Since the businesses were impacted adversely, the majority of them closed, resulting in widespread layoffs and wage cuts, which caused psychological anguish and significant depression among employees.

The Mental health of people during Pandemic The outbreak not only resulted in a tremendous loss of human life, but also brought many unprecedented mental problems.

Different people were affected differently by the pandemic. For women, household responsibilities rose exponentially, as did incidents of domestic violence. Children and teens were left feeling alone and frustrated as a result of university closures, postponed exams, and cancelled festivities. Furthermore, many youngsters became victims of cyber bullying as a result of their use of social media to alleviate their loneliness.

Doctors and frontline workers were overloaded and experienced anxiety and sadness as a result of their fear of contracting the infection and being subjected to violent actions.

Elders experienced severe mental health difficulties as a result of the epidemic, which induced a traumatic situation for them.

As the catastrophe continued to ravage the world, our reliance on technology increased tremendously

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Employee mental health Young adults were already at a high risk of poor mental health and drug use disorder even before the pandemic, however many did not obtain treatment. In a UNICEF study of 21 nations, just 41% of young people in India thought it is a good idea to get help for mental health problems, compared to an average of 83% across the 21 countries.

The pandemic added fuel to the fire by causing job losses, longer working hours, and the move to remote working, all of which exacerbated depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, and higher usage of drug use disorder and suicides.

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Work from Home – the new norm As the catastrophe continued to ravage the world, our reliance on technology increased tremendously, and working from home or telecommuting became the new normal.

Since last year, remote working has been in the spotlight because of Covid and has significantly transformed the way an organization and its people work.

After the initial euphoria, many employees reported a fall in their productivity and performance. According to a survey, the amount of time spent in the workplace increased by at least 1.5 hours.

When working from home, many employees experienced mental health problems especially working parents with babies or children. For some, it was difficult to create an efficient work environment as there were disruptions and distractions. Increased work hours, increased food consumption, and a lack of exercise all resulted in a decline in emotional and physical well-being.

Several sources, including Lancet Global Health, the WHO, and Screen Time Tracker Datareportal, suggest that Indians have sustained the largest loss of vision in 2020 (even though other factors like Glaucoma, cataracts, and others at the same time affected their vision). Study findings reveal that 22.7% of Indians suffer from vision problems as a result of their excessive use of screens, used for an average of 6 hours, 36 minutes each day. In addition to the strain on the eyes, many people also reported problems like neck and back pain.

On the one hand, this Hybrid work model left employees feeling isolated in absence of physical interaction with their colleagues, and on the other hand it encouraged better productivity and cost savings. Employees loved their newfound freedom, which included flexible working hours, reduced or eliminated commuting time, and a better worklife balance. For Employers and employees, the greatest advantage that remote working offered was that it facilitated the hiring of the available talent from outside of a company’s immediate geographic region.

According to PWC research, remote working has been a huge success for both businesses and employees. While 13% of employees do not want to return to work, 87 percent believe that working in an office is beneficial for interacting with co-workers and developing relationships. Once pandemic fears abate, more than half of the employees want to work remotely at least three days each week. Respondents with the least professional experience are more inclined to remain in the workplace since working remotely makes them feel less productive.

The outbreak not only resulted in a tremendous loss of human life, but also brought many unprecedented mental problems

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Tips for improving mental health The epidemic has had a profound impact on people's mental health, both short and longterm. The takeaway message from our Covid experiences is that life is not always easy or forgiving; therefore we must become stronger and more resilient. Here are some everyday recommendations to help you maintain your health during these trying times. ● Exercise every day as it not only helps in keeping a healthy weight and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses, but also for alleviating stress and anxiety, improving cognition, promoting better sleep, and overall mood. ● Follow a schedule to staying in routine. ● Practice deep breathing and meditation as it helps to promote inner peace and calmness, as well as to find happiness and joy. ● Eat a healthy and balanced diet consisting of many vegetables

and fruit every day. ● If you work remotely, cleaning up your workstation will help you focus. ● Limit your coffee intake, since it will raise your anxiety levels. ● Make sure to be in touch with friends and family through online calls and video calls. ● Make an effort to disconnect from traditional and social media at regular intervals. ● If you are going through a difficult period, contact an online therapist or counselor.

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EXPERT OPINION

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Is Yoga or Meditation enough for a Healthier Mind?

Yash Kotak, Co-founder & CMO, BOHECO

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Yash Kotak, CMO is the mind behind the entire Communications-Chain of BOHECO. He has lead several educational campaigns back in the day and also is a strong believer of speaking the truth to his prime focus of educating potential consumers about Hemp. Yash is an ardent reader and is heavily invested in Sports, Travel, Social Work & Food. His vision for BOHECO is, for hemp & cannabis to reach a maximum number of households and also improve the standard and quality of living of patients who are suffering from chronic illnesses, whether physical or mental.

his day is celebrated across the globe on 10th Oct and it is celebrated to educate people and make them aware about the importance that one’s mental health holds and why they must keep that as a top priority at all times.

With this day around the corner, there is a lot of importance that is laid upon issues that are known to integrally affect one’s Mental Health such as Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Management, and Pain Relief. But how did all these problems rise over the past years?

It is so common to hear people say. “I’m under so much stress” or “I’m so stressed” as if there is no severity to this issue. This was the root of the problem. Traditionally, such issues were not addressed at all, or even if they were, it wasn’t given much importance. In fact, mental exhaustion has been proved to exist since the beginning of mankind. It isn’t something that was developed in the past few years. In fact, stress traditionally went by many different names as well, such as Melancholia, Neurasthenia, Depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Acedia. Stress was either considered as an issue one can deal with without anyone else’s help or it was labeled as a mental disorder. Some choose to deal with it either by human care or by instilling more discipline.

What one must realize is that how conditions like these need to be addressed by their roots and not alone their symptoms. If only stress was treated based on triggers and not its symptoms, people could have the ability to address this better compared to how it was being addressed all these years.

But today with the issue not being considered a taboo anymore there are a lot of remedies that one can use to assist themselves. People have learned to now accept it and are treating it in various ways. Some being, Chamomile Tea, Yoga, Meditation, Medical Cannabis, Lavender Oil, Exercising, Over-the-Counter medicines, and various others. This is also because the level of stress experienced before was way less than the level of stress people are experiencing today.

Although over the years people have understood how important it is, especially in the circumstance of this modern fast-paced life that everybody is living in today. One of the many remedies that have shown a huge difference in people’s mood, pain, and stress levels, is Medical Cannabis or Cannabinoids. This one product shows the capability to deliver goodness to Mental and Physical Health that is beyond one’s perception. It targets the root of the cause and not just the symptoms.

In India, the concept of CBD Oil is fairly new and still evolving. Whilst many have accepted it, some still are living under a giant rock of misinformation. For those under the rock, let us emphasize the benefits that CBD is capable of offering. CBD Oil has been known to treat PTSD, Sleep

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Today people count it as something illegal but what a lot of people refused to understand is how different CBD oil is

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Management, Pain Relief, and Stress Management. It is also known to relieve one from Anxiety, Depression, Neurological Disorders, Cancer, Obesity, Anorexia, Bipolar Disorder, Parkinson's Disease, and many more. A product as such that can treat so many issues has been unnoticed for years now. The prime reason being the lack of knowledge and information. If looked at statistically, CBD Oil has proved to show a difference of around 55% to 65% when it comes to Pain Management. And its success over other diseases is what makes it popular across the globe.

When we speak about Mental Health, what we miss out on is the importance of sleep. Today in a fast-paced world like ours, Sleep holds more importance than it ever did.

Lack of sleep has been proved to instigate medical issues such as Alzheimer’s, Chronic Pain, Cancer Stroke, Weight Gain, Schizophrenia, Mood Swings and can result in one’s lack of productivity levels.

Sleep is an essential component of good health. Its importance is widely misunderstood by many. Today it has become one of the most common issues faced by many. This is today treated in many different ways, be it meditation, yoga, medications, or medical cannabis (which has turned out to be the most natural and effective measures when compared to the rest, to date.)

CBD Oil or medical cannabis is known to calm one’s mind down by relieving one’s stress from their nerves, resulting in good quality sleep. Studies have proved its effectiveness over the past years and it has also been supported by many consumer testimonials over the years.

What lack of sleep can also trigger is Anxiety.

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Research proves that Anxiety, especially Social Anxiety Disorder can end up making one feel lonely and insecure, which can be a huge trigger affecting one’s mental health.

The reason why CBD Oil has been emphasized more here is that this natural oil has been proven to benefit by relieving one form of Anxiety & Stress in the long run.

The need for organic products is widely spreading across the globe. People have not only understood its importance but also its effectiveness. Such medicines, be it herbal, Ayurveda or cannabinoid when compared to overthe-counter medicines show lesser side effects. These target the root of the cause and treat it over time.

CBD and other oils have been practiced as a natural form of treatment based on Ayurveda inputs for thousands of years now. The oil possesses antidepressant properties and works as an efficient calmative enabling the state of Peace and Happiness.

Today people count it as something illegal but what a lot of people refused to understand is how different CBD oil is.

CBD oil is extracted from the leaves and seeds of the Cannabis plant. The NDPS Act only applies to the fruiting top of the plant and not the leaves and stem. One can use CBD oil without the fear of it being illegal. In India, CBD oil is manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Recent incidents in India have further sadly stigmatized the usage of CBD. However, with proper information and knowledge, these can be one’s most reliable and safest choice when chosen instead of over-the-counter medications.

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PSYCHOLOGIST SPEAKS

Befriending the Pandemic and the Experiences for Our Wellbeing & Growth Purvi Balasaria, Psychologist, Sri Healthcare-Research International (SHRI)

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Purvi Balasaria, is a Counselling Psychologist based in India. She currently works as a psychologist at Sri Healthcare-Research International (SHRI). Holding a B.Sc degree in Human Development from J.D Birla Institute, Jadavpur University, Purvi did her MA in Applied Psychology (specialization in Counselling Psychology) from TISS-BALM, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

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he Pandemic has brought about many changes, and gradually with a year into it, we all have made peace and tried our best to adapt to it.

The Pandemic has also given rise for many innovations, sustainable developments and new sectors for career.

However, the uncertainty of the Pandemic and the conditions in the world with regard to health, economy, well-being and mobility remains.

In such times, even one year into the Pandemic it seems weary, and difficult to understand many of the dynamics and occurrences.

One crucial aspect of coping with the Pandemic and all that it entails, is to first accept all that it unsettles within us. The Pandemic has brought an opportunity to break free from the previous neural patterns and mindset we were functioning on without much consciousness and awareness of the Present.

Pandemic has given us the opportunity to live in the Present and with our conscious awareness and potential, realize our unique ways of coping, purpose and intention.

It is definitely very exhausting, and constant work to be aware and adapt to the changes that is happening each moment. It brings up many different feelings, challenges and questions on the beliefs and the security we had in our planning and living in future.

The first step in overcoming the mental exhaustion and the stress, anxiety and shock the Pandemic has brought in our professions, is the awareness of the various feelings, thoughts and limiting beliefs from which the discomfort feelings stem from. With its acceptance, it is important to be aware of the conditions within and outside of our control. In this regard, an analysis of the strengths, intentions of choice and the possible threats and situations beyond our control is necessary.

The awareness and processing of the feelings and thoughts that bring discomfort in itself is definitely very taxing, and makes us feel lost as well, as it forces to explore and go deep in our inner Self. These altogether also result in us often reacting in most situation instead of responding in context to the situation and the individuals involved.

The reactions and the feelings of being lost often lead us to work from an autopilot mode where we simply work in the routine ways and behaviors that come as a habit or reflex.

One can always seek the help of mental health professionals who can help them understand their various dimensions of their Self

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The awareness and processing of the feelings and thoughts that bring discomfort in itself is definitely very taxing

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But if we actually through our conscious awareness and acceptance perceive and live in the Moment, we can allow ourselves to find opportunities and enhance our creative intelligence to make solution for ourself.

Our conscious awareness can be recharged through various practices like Yoga, Grounding Mindfulness, breathing and surrendering to the Universe and the unknown.

Consistency in these practices is the key as it allows us to create the spaces in our mind as well. This space can allow us to subconsciously think and create pathways in the mind to move the processes in that space forward and in tangible reality.

Having separate physical spaces for work in the home environment (as many of us are now working from home) also helps a great deal for the mind to navigate between the dimensions and shifting the Energy. It enables us to come to the Present when we move through the space.

When the work space is separate from the rest of home space, it is a cue for the mind to know when it is in the professional dimension and in the cognitive mode, alert mode, and in the home space where he can delve in feelings, integrate with loved ones, be in relaxed mode and in Present with the people around.

These are of the generic, common experiences most of us have been experiencing and finding ways to cope at present in the prevailing situation globally.

However, for many certain unique, personal situations and factors might also be at play that might be making it difficult to cope and respond well with the present situations, adding to their stress. The unattended stress often leads our body and mind to go in the flight, freeze or fog mode where we try ways to escape from the situation, or where we feel ourselves going numb and just a witness to what’s happening around. These are a natural, innate response of our nervous system to threatening situations. This can be resolved once we are aware of the triggers for the same, and with certain stress management techniques, life skills and Grounding Mindfulness.

Often for many the triggers of acute stress can be different and unique to them based on their experiences and life journey.

In case one finds it difficult to manage by their own and cope with their surroundings, one can always seek the help of mental health professionals who can help them understand their various dimensions of their Self, their present situation, their specific triggers and how they themselves can manage with their life situations.

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