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Employee Mental Wellness: What More Needs To Be Done?
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Kartikay Kashyap

March 29, 2025

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Companies need something more than an EAP programme to drive a culture supporting employee mental wellness.

Employee mental wellness is a much-discussed topic at the workplace since the pandemic. As a result of working remotely during the lockdown, employees experienced work-related stress and burnout. As per a Deloitte survey, 80% of the Indian workforce reported that they are suffering from mental wellness challenges. In fact, the survey also revealed that 47% of respondents were suffering from work-related stress.

A number of companies have taken steps to address the issue of mental wellness in the workplace. There were some companies that already had Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) in place. However, companies without an EAP programme implemented one to aid their employees. Apart from an EAP programme, an employer needs to do more. They need to holistically tackle the issue of mental wellness in employees.

What is an EAP programme?

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a workplace-based program that offers employees services and resources to address personal and work-related issues. The issues could include such stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and family issues that may negatively impact their productivity, health, and well-being. In most cases, employers or third parties provide it as part of their benefits packages.

The services offered by an EAP can vary depending on the needs of the organization and its employees. Typically, they include confidential counselling and referral to resources for a variety of personal and work-related issues. Common issues addressed by EAPs include.

EAPs can offer a wide range of services, including counseling services provided by licensed professionals, online resources such as articles, videos, and webinars, legal and financial counseling, and other support services. EAPs can also provide crisis management and intervention services to help employees deal with traumatic events or critical incidents, such as accidents, violence, or natural disasters. Overall, EAPs are a valuable resource for employees and employers alike. They provide a wide range of services and support to help employees manage the various challenges of work and life.

Why do we need to tackle mental wellness?

There are various reasons to take into consideration the emotional wellness of employees. Poor mental health of employees can have several negative impacts on a company. These impacts include decreased productivity and quality of work, increased absenteeism and presenteeism, higher turnover rates, increased healthcare costs, and decreased employee morale and engagement. It can also lead to a toxic work environment, which can further exacerbate mental health problems and cause additional issues for the company. Addressing and improving employee mental health can have a positive impact on the overall well-being of the company and its employees.

Enhancing employee mental well-being at work

Having an EAP programme is a positive step towards coping with mental wellness challenges at the workplace. However, companies must go beyond having an EAP program.

By implementing strategies and prioritizing employee mental health and wellness, companies can create a supportive and healthy work environment. It benefits both employees and the organization as a whole.