“ The tragic death of a 26-year-old EY employee in 2024 has cast a harsh spotlight on the pressures of modern workplaces. This young employee, who had been with the company for only four months, passed away due to work-related stress, according to her family “
Her story is a sobering reminder of the increasing prevalence of burnout and its devastating consequences. Social media discussions ignited by this incident have drawn attention to the glorification of long work hours, particularly in large firms, where 18-hour workdays are often normalised.
Workplace stress is not just a personal issue—it is a widespread public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that poor mental health costs the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually due to reduced productivity.
In 2019 alone, 12 billion working days were lost due to depression and anxiety. Toxic workplace cultures, lack of work-life balance, and the pressure to perform continuously contribute to these alarming statistics.
Why Mental Health in the Workplace Matters
Mental health significantly impacts both employees and organisations. A healthy work environment fosters creativity, productivity, and retention, while a toxic one leads to burnout, absenteeism, and ultimately, a loss in revenue. The tragic example from EY highlights how the relentless pressure to meet expectations can have dire consequences.
Work-related stress can affect physical health too. It can cause headaches, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal issues, while chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular problems and weakened immunity. Symptoms of work-related stress include constant fatigue, irritability, loss of concentration, and a sense of being overwhelmed.
Left unmanaged, this stress can spiral into more severe mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Strategies for Managing Stress and Mental Health
- Promote Work-Life Balance: Organisations need to respect boundaries, ensuring employees aren’t overworked. Flexible work hours, reduced workloads, and clear communication on job expectations can help maintain a balance.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Having open conversations about mental health can reduce stigma. Employers should offer mental health resources such as counselling services or stress management workshops.
- Recognize Early Warning Signs: Employers and employees alike should be aware of the signs of burnout and mental exhaustion, such as declining work quality, emotional outbursts, and increased absenteeism.
- Encourage Regular Breaks: Encouraging employees to take regular breaks throughout the workday can mitigate stress and boost productivity.
Workplaces should not just be centres of output but also environments of care, where mental health is prioritised just as much as physical health. Encouraging a culture where employees feel supported, balanced, and valued is critical to long-term success. Strategies such as fostering work-life balance, creating open channels for discussing mental health, and recognizing the signs of stress early can help create this necessary shift.
As individuals, we must advocate for our well-being, and as organizations, we must create workplaces where mental wellness is the standard, not the exception. To tackle these challenges and foster a healthy environment, we developed ZenLives—a groundbreaking mental health app designed to assess mental states and provide tailored support.
At ZenLives, those in immediate danger are connected with professionals, while others can engage in interactive sessions and access valuable resources. By embracing solutions like ZenLives, we can cultivate a healthy environment that nurtures mental well-being and aims to save 10,000 DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) per day.
Learn more at ZenLives. https://zenlives.org
