Young Workers Face Severe Stress: Report

Hyderabad: One in five employees under 25 years of age is experiencing suicidal thoughts, while three in ten are struggling with poor sleep, according to a report titled Demystifying Mental Health at the Workplace in India. The report, based on 4,200 emotional wellness consultations conducted by HCL Healthcare across five major companies, paints a disturbing picture of India’s corporate work culture. It found that 84 per cent of employees reported low mood or depressive thoughts, 59 per cent exhibited moderate to severe anxiety, and nearly half sleep less than seven hours a night.

The youngest group — employees aged between 18 and 25 — reported the highest levels of emotional strain, with 21 per cent disclosing suicidal ideation and 31 per cent reporting sleep-related issues. In comparison, only 9 per cent of employees above 35 years of age reported similar distress levels. Women employees showed marginally higher anxiety scores than men, especially in hybrid or remote work settings.

The study also revealed that 60 per cent of employees felt persistently fatigued, 72 per cent found it difficult to concentrate during the day, and 40 per cent admitted to worrying frequently about disappointing parents or seniors. Workload pressure, job insecurity, and social isolation were cited as the top causes of psychological distress.

Experts say the findings underline the urgent need for systemic change in corporate India. “Many companies still treat mental health as a poster campaign,” said a Hyderabad-based HR wellness consultant. “The young workforce is burning out quietly, trapped between ambition and insecurity.”

The study recommended that organisations shift from symbolic gestures to measurable mental-health programmes. “Indian workplaces must move towards preventive models, with regular wellness audits, trained psychological first-aid teams and confidential counselling systems,” the consultant said.

It also urged companies to integrate mental-health support into employee insurance, adopt gender-inclusive policies and promote flexible work models that prioritise recovery and rest. “Emotional well-being,” the report concluded, “is not an individual luxury — it’s a shared corporate responsibility.”