Indian firms push mental health beyond wellness perks

Companies including CSM Technologies, Orient Technologies and Sagility India say employers need to move beyond conventional workplace mental health programmes. The comments from senior Human Resources executives came ahead of World Mental Health Day.

The remarks reflect a broader shift in corporate thinking as employers face heavier workloads, changing employee expectations and closer scrutiny of workplace culture. Human Resources leaders said the focus is moving away from one-off wellness activities and towards the day-to-day structures that shape how people work and whether they feel safe raising concerns.

Broader Shift

Mental health has become a more prominent issue for employers as hybrid working, changing team structures and tighter business targets reshape working life. In response, companies are paying closer attention to policies such as flexible work arrangements, confidential counselling, employee feedback systems and manager-led conversations about stress and workload.

At CSM Technologies, the focus is on making support visible within the organisation and offering workers more than a narrow benefits package. The company has sought to build an open-door culture and has also introduced an external counselling arrangement for staff.

"Deadlines, evolving responsibilities and workplace pressures are an inevitable part of today's professional environment. At CSM, we believe that creating a healthy workplace begins with recognizing that employees are individuals with different needs, experiences and challenges. Supporting well-being, therefore, is not just about providing benefits, it is about creating an environment where people feel heard, supported and valued. We have consciously built an open-door culture where employees feel comfortable reaching out and having conversations about their concerns. Our partnership with an external counsellor provides employees with a safe and confidential avenue to seek support for personal, emotional or work-related challenges. Alongside this, we conduct regular health camps and encourage employees to prioritize their physical well-being through initiatives such as yoga and Zumba sessions," said Lagna Panda, Chief Human Resources Officer, CSM Technologies.

Orient Technologies also presented employee mental well-being as a business issue rather than a side topic for annual awareness campaigns. Its Human Resources leadership said organisations should create conditions in which staff can speak openly and feel supported when challenges arise.

"World Mental Health Day is an important reminder that employee well-being is not simply a workplace priority. It is fundamental to building resilient, high-performing and future-ready organisations. As workplaces continue to evolve, organisations must go beyond traditional wellness initiatives and create cultures where people feel heard, supported and safe to speak openly. Meaningful conversations around mental well-being, combined with the right support systems, can help employees navigate challenges with greater confidence and build lasting resilience. When people feel supported, they are better positioned to contribute, grow and thrive, both personally and professionally," said Mansi Sawant, Head HR - People and Culture, Orient Technologies Limited.

Structural Measures

Sagility India described a more structured model that links workplace design with mental well-being. It pointed to hybrid work, flexible shift timings, employee feedback channels and targeted peer groups as key parts of its approach.

The approach suggests some employers are treating mental health as an operational issue tied to workload, scheduling and inclusion, rather than only as a personal matter for employees to manage on their own. It also shows how Human Resources teams are trying to identify stress indicators earlier through regular feedback and peer support mechanisms.

"Workplace mental health requires moving beyond standard wellness programs toward structural support mechanisms that directly reduce stress. At Sagility, we realize this commitment through an integrated framework designed around our people's real-world needs. By embedding flexibility into our operations through hybrid work arrangements and flexible shift timings, we empower our teams to balance professional excellence with personal peace. We heavily invest in active listening to co-create an environment where every individual feels heard and protected. Under our Wonder of Wellness (WoW) initiative, we actively support the multi-dimensional facets of emotional and mental health with tangible policies like hybrid work options and flexible shift timings. We have created active channels for employee input, allowing teams to balance demanding schedules with personal well-being. Our structured Voice of Employee feedback channels allow us to track stress indicators and address systemic workplace issues directly. Furthermore, through specialized training along with targeted peer networks and employee resource groups like the S.H.E. Circle and Abilities Circle we ensure diversity and equity while mitigating identity-specific stressors. On this World Mental Health Day, we reinforce our conviction that employee well-being is the cornerstone of a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving enterprise, it is the foundation that allows our global workforce to belong, grow, and bring their true, best selves to work every single day," said Aparna Rao Basu, Senior Vice President and Head Human Resources, Sagility India.