The eKincare Report holds a mirror to India’s workplace culture. The fact that women are nearly three times more likely to seek mental health support than men says as much about gendered expectations as it does about progress.
May is widely recognised as Mental Health Awareness Month. On May 28, the International Day of Action for Women’s Health reminded us that mental wellness is often the missing piece in the conversation around women’s overall health. Working women, in particular, face a range of challenges, whether it is a biased workplace culture or the constant pressure to manage both home and career. These experiences have a direct impact on their mental health.
The good news is that more women are starting to seek support. The recent eKincare report found that women are nearly three times more likely than men to access mental health services. That is a sign of growing awareness. However, the same report also points to disparities across gender and age when it comes to who uses mental health resources, how often, and how comfortable they feel doing so. It gives us a glimpse into how workplace culture around mental health is changing and where it still needs work.
eKincare Report titled “Wellbeing Index at India Inc”
eKincare is a leading integrated digital health gateway, dedicated to providing streamlined and customised AI-driven preventive healthcare solutions to businesses and individuals. Their latest “Wellbeing Index at India Inc.” report is based on data collected from over 45,000 employees across more than 90 companies and 15 industry sectors. The report presents a clear picture of how different groups engage with mental health support.
1. Women more likely to seek support
Although women make up only 25% of the workforce in the companies surveyed, they account for more than half of all mental health consultations. The report shows that 11.88% of women accessed mental health services, compared to just 4.24% of men. This means that women are almost three times more likely to reach out for support.
Even though they are fewer in number, they are more open to acknowledging mental health struggles and taking steps to address them. It also suggests that women may feel the weight of workplace stress more deeply or face unique pressures that push them to seek help more often.
2. There are generational and age disparities in workplace mental health support
The report also highlights a noticeable gap between age groups when it comes to using mental health services. Employees aged 19 to 30 had the highest usage rate at 9.22%. This age group, mainly Gen Z, seems far more open to seeking support and talking about mental health.
On the other hand, employees aged 46 and above showed the lowest usage rate at just 1.62%. This generation and age disparity raises a few important questions. Do older employees still carry a stigma around mental health? Or have companies not done enough to make support services feel accessible and welcoming for them? Either way, the gap shows there’s more work to be done to create a workplace culture where mental health support feels available to everyone, regardless of age.
3. Healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors facing the highest burnout
The report found that employees in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors use mental health services more than those in other industries. It is not unexpected. These are high-pressure fields where long hours, emotional strain, and critical decision-making are part of daily life. The increased usage may also suggest that these industries have stronger awareness and better access to support systems.
At the same time, it’s a signal for all industries to take a closer look at the stress their employees face. High engagement with mental health services often reflects high burnout risk. Companies need to recognise these patterns and invest in wellness strategies that go beyond surface-level offerings.
4. Personal stress behind most mental health support
While work stress is still important, it is not the only factor affecting mental health. Issues like family problems, relationships, financial worries, or personal loss can significantly impact a person’s mental well-being. The report shows that out of 2,095 mental health cases, more than half were related to personal or emotional stress instead of work-related issues. Hence, while workplace pressure is a factor, many employees seek help for challenges they face in their personal lives.
Companies must look beyond workplace pressures when supporting employees. Mental health programs should consider the whole person, including their life outside of work. Offering support that covers personal as well as professional challenges can help employees manage their mental health better. A well-rounded, or holistic, approach is key to making mental health care more effective and meaningful.
Making mental health a core part of workplace culture
The eKincare report highlights that while many organisations now provide mental health resources, simply having these services is not enough. Actual progress comes from creating a workplace environment where mental health conversations are welcomed and encouraged. Leadership plays a crucial role in this. When managers openly support mental well-being and show vulnerability, it helps reduce stigma and makes employees feel safer to seek help.
Commenting on the report findings, Dr Noel Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at ekincare, said, “Mental health is no longer a peripheral conversation; it has become central to how organisations build trust, foster engagement, and sustain performance. While access to support services has certainly improved, their true impact depends on something deeper: organisational culture, leadership behaviour, and the ability to create psychologically safe environments.“
“It’s not enough to simply offer resources; companies need to normalise their use and ensure employees feel genuinely comfortable seeking support. That’s when real change begins,” Coutinho added.
eKincare Report: A wake-up call for India’s workplace wellness culture
It is not enough for companies to have a help desk or a hotline that employees can call when they are struggling. What really matters is creating a culture where asking for mental health support feels as normal and acceptable as requesting a day off from work. Make mental health a clear priority every day of the year, not just during Mental Health Awareness Month.
When companies show genuine care and encourage employees to seek help without judgment, they build stronger teams. It leads to better trust, higher engagement, and improved overall performance.
Mental health cannot be treated as a surface-level benefit; it must be built into the DNA of workplace culture. At Changeincontent, we believe that corporate wellness starts with respect for real challenges, especially for women.
Explore our related article on addressing the lack of support for women’s health.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history, encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
