Work Pressure and Depression in India: Understanding Risks and Support

Lifestyle

-Oneindia Staff

Work
pressure
is
a
growing
concern
in
India.
Many
employees
face
long
hours,
tight
deadlines,
and
job
insecurity.
These
factors
can
raise
stress
levels
at
work.
Over
time,
high
work
pressure
can
link
to
depression.
Understanding
this
link
helps
workers,
families,
and
employers
notice
risks
early
and
plan
support.

Work
pressure
means
the
demand
at
work
feels
more
than
a
person
can
handle.
It
can
come
from
workload,
strict
bosses,
or
fear
of
losing
the
job.
It
may
also
come
from
unpaid
overtime,
constant
phone
calls,
or
targets
that
feel
unfair.
When
pressure
stays
high,
it
may
harm
mental
health.

Depression
is
a
mental
health
condition.
It
causes
low
mood,
loss
of
interest,
and
tiredness
for
weeks
or
months.
Strong
and
long-term
work
pressure
can
raise
the
risk
of
depression.
When
stress
at
work
never
reduces,
the
brain
and
body
struggle
to
cope.
This
may
trigger
or
worsen
depressive
episodes.

Common
signs
seen
at
work

When
work
pressure
links
to
depression,
signs
often
show
in
daily
tasks.
A
person
may
lose
focus,
make
more
mistakes,
or
miss
deadlines.
They
may
avoid
calls
or
meetings.
Some
feel
tearful
or
numb.
Others
may
get
angry
more
easily.
Regular
sick
leave,
late
arrivals,
or
silence
in
teams
can
also
be
clues.

Workplace
factors
that
raise
risk

Certain
workplace
settings
increase
stress
and
low
mood.
These
include
very
high
workload,
unclear
roles,
and
lack
of
control
over
tasks.
Bullying,
harassment,
or
unfair
treatment
also
add
risk.
Jobs
with
night
shifts,
long
travel,
and
low
pay
can
add
pressure.
When
support
from
managers
is
low,
the
risk
becomes
higher.

Indian
context
of
work
pressure
and
depression

In
India,
many
sectors
see
strong
work
pressure.
IT,
start-ups,
finance,
sales,
and
support
centres
often
expect
long
hours.
Job
competition
and
fear
of
job
loss
can
be
strong.
Some
workers
also
support
large
families.
Social
stigma
around
mental
health
may
stop
people
from
talking
about
depression
linked
to
their
jobs.

Impact
on
personal
and
family
life

Depression
from
work
pressure
does
not
stay
in
the
office.
It
affects
family
life
and
social
ties.
People
may
feel
too
tired
to
talk
at
home.
They
may
stop
meeting
friends
or
joining
events.
Sleep
may
be
poor,
and
appetite
can
change.
Family
members
can
feel
confused
or
hurt
when
they
do
not
know
the
reason.

Physical
health
links

Work
pressure
and
depression
affect
the
body
as
well.
Stress
can
raise
heart
rate
and
blood
pressure.
It
may
cause
headaches,
stomach
issues,
or
body
pain.
Some
people
smoke
more
or
drink
alcohol
to
cope.
This
adds
new
health
risks.
When
both
mind
and
body
suffer,
recovery
can
take
longer
without
help.

How
employees
can
manage
work
pressure

Employees
can
take
small
steps
to
manage
work
pressure.
Clear
task
lists
and
short
breaks
during
the
day
may
help.
Setting
simple
limits
on
late-night
calls
can
protect
rest.
Talking
with
a
trusted
colleague
or
family
member
can
reduce
the
burden.
Regular
sleep,
basic
exercise,
and
balanced
meals
support
mood.

Seeking
help
for
depression
from
work
stress

If
low
mood
and
loss
of
interest
last
for
more
than
two
weeks,
it
is
wise
to
seek
help.
A
family
doctor,
counsellor,
or
psychiatrist
can
assess
symptoms.
They
may
suggest
therapy,
medicines,
or
both.
Early
support
often
makes
treatment
easier.
In
severe
cases,
time
away
from
a
high-pressure
job
may
be
needed.

Role
of
employers
and
managers

Employers
play
a
key
role
in
reducing
harmful
work
pressure.
Clear
workloads
and
fair
deadlines
are
basic
steps.
Managers
can
plan
regular
check-ins
to
ask
staff
about
stress.
Respectful
feedback,
not
harsh
words,
helps
mental
health.
Allowing
some
flexibility
in
hours,
where
possible,
can
ease
pressure
for
staff
with
family
duties.

Policies
and
mental
health
support
at
work

Organisations
can
set
written
policies
on
mental
health.
These
may
include
rules
on
working
hours,
overtime,
and
leave.
Access
to
an
employee
assistance
programme
or
counsellor
can
offer
private
support.
Training
for
managers
on
signs
of
depression
and
stress
helps
early
action.
Simple
awareness
sessions
can
also
reduce
stigma
among
staff.

Remote
work
and
digital
pressure

Remote
and
hybrid
work
can
change
how
pressure
feels.
Staff
may
work
from
home
yet
stay
online
for
long
hours.
Chat
apps
and
email
may
blur
the
line
between
work
and
rest.
This
constant
digital
presence
can
raise
stress
and
low
mood.
Clear
rules
on
response
times
and
offline
hours
can
reduce
this
strain.

Young
workers
and
career
pressure

Young
workers
in
India
often
face
high
career
pressure.
Many
feel
they
must
prove
themselves
quickly.
Long
internships,
low
pay,
and
late-night
shifts
add
strain.
Fear
of
missing
out
on
growth
can
stop
them
from
resting.
When
this
pressure
continues,
it
can
increase
the
risk
of
depression
and
anxiety.

Breaking
the
silence
around
work
and
depression

Many
people
in
India
still
fear
speaking
about
depression
linked
to
work.
They
worry
it
may
harm
their
image
or
career.
This
silence
delays
help.
Honest
talks
from
leaders
and
HR
can
change
this.
When
workplaces
treat
mental
health
as
normal
health,
more
employees
may
seek
support
at
the
right
time.

When
work
pressure
means
it
is
time
to
reconsider

In
some
cases,
no
coping
plan
is
enough.
If
a
job
keeps
harming
mental
health,
a
person
may
need
to
reconsider
that
role.
This
choice
is
personal
and
often
hard.
Talking
with
family,
doctors,
or
mentors
can
guide
it.
Mental
health
should
carry
the
same
weight
as
career
growth
when
making
such
decisions.