How mental health has become a new priority for corporates

Mental health is no longer just a personal concern in India’s workplaces. Companies across sectors are recognising it as a business-critical priority that directly impacts productivity, engagement, and organisational success. In a post-pandemic work environment, employers are taking structured steps to address mental and emotional well-being among employees.

Corporate strategies for mental well-being
“Indian workplaces are increasingly making mental well-being a top business priority, understanding its effect on productivity, attrition, and overall organizational performance,” said Dr. Manish Kumar Verma, HOD & Professor, Department of Psychology, Lovely Professional University. Studies show up to 80% of employees experience mental health challenges, prompting companies to introduce Employee Assistance Programs, 24/7 counselling, mental health days, and awareness campaigns. Flexible work arrangements and leadership-led discussions aim to reduce stigma and encourage engagement.


Verma added that post-pandemic workplace culture and rising employee expectations have accelerated these efforts. “Still, there are challenges—about 70% of firms still do not cover mental health in insurance, and stigma restricts program use. Successful companies prioritize proactive, preventive, and inclusive interventions that bring together counselling, technology, and leadership involvement.”

Tech industry leads the change
In IT and tech firms, hybrid work stress, digital fatigue, and high performance demands make mental well-being a strategic necessity. “With respect to time mental health has evolved from being a wellness initiative to a core business priority,” said Ruchika Godha, Chief Operating Officer at Advaiya Solutions. She added that programs such as counselling, leadership sensitization, and open forums like the “We are listening” initiative help employees share concerns and build trust, creating workplaces where empathy and performance coexist.

Leadership drives cultural change
At Vernost, CEO Pankaj Tripathi highlighted, “In recent years, Indian workplaces have increasingly recognised mental health as a critical business priority, understanding that employee wellbeing directly impacts productivity, engagement, and organizational trust. Leaders today must go beyond surface-level interventions and build cultures of psychological safety where people feel supported, not just managed.”

Similarly, Phani Tangirala, MD & CEO of Expleo Solutions, said, “Mental well-being is a moral commitment that every leader must adopt. At Expleo, we are committed to nurturing psychological safety, belonging and loyalty, where employees are encouraged to speak up, seek support and collaborate. Our GPTW scores show that employees rate the workplace as psychologically and emotionally healthy. We strongly believe that technological advancement and human-centric workplace practices must coexist.”

The new business mandate
Indian corporates now view mental health as a crucial measure of business sustainability and organizational values. While challenges such as stigma and limited insurance coverage remain, companies are moving toward proactive, inclusive strategies. On World Mental Health Day, industry leaders emphasize that supporting employee well-being is essential for both business performance and societal growth.