Pune: Addressing mental health at the workplace has become crucial. In response to this pressing issue, Connecting Trust has organized a walkathon to highlight the importance of mental well-being in professional environments. The event will take place on Sunday (13th), from 4 pm to 6 pm, at Sambhaji Park, starting from Jungli Maharaj Road, passing Goodluck Chowk, and ending at Fergusson College. The walkathon will be flagged off by Arnavaj Damania, Founder and Managing Director of Connecting Trust, along with Co-Founder Sandy Dice, and CEO Pranitha Madkaikar.
The walkathon aligns with this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace.” The organization has encouraged Pune residents to join in and raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by employees.
Pranitha Madkaikar, speaking about the event, emphasized that recent studies have underscored the need to focus on employees’ mental health. A 2023 report titled The Silent Struggle – How Mental Health Impacts the Indian Workforce revealed that one in two corporate employees is at risk of mental health issues, with 93% of respondents acknowledging that mental health is a key concern. The study, which surveyed 3,000 employees across 10 sectors and eight cities, found that women aged 35-45 and senior employees are particularly vulnerable. Work-life balance emerged as the top factor affecting mental well-being, with 90% of employees reporting job-related stress, and 45% admitting that this stress has impacted their family life. Alarmingly, 80% took at least two weeks off last year due to stress, anxiety, or poor mental health, while 90% felt pressured to work even during their time off.
Another study, Insights from India’s Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness 2023, which surveyed over 18.5 lakh employees across 210 organizations, found that one in four Indian employees struggles to openly discuss stress, anxiety, or depression. Both reports indicate that these mental health challenges are not limited to India but are part of a global issue.
For the past 19 years, Connecting Trust has worked tirelessly to promote suicide prevention and reduce the stigma surrounding it. The organization provides support through various initiatives, including peer support in schools and colleges, a free helpline, email support, survivor support, and face-to-face counseling for organizations. Through these programs, they have helped thousands of individuals, Madkaikar noted.
