On the eve of World Mental Health Day, Bakul Dua, Head of Programmes at IMHA, joined Faye D’Souza for an Instagram Live to discuss the need for shifting the conversation around work pressure, from focusing solely on individual resilience to advocating for systemic, structural change.

Deloitte data revealed that 80% of the Indian workforce experienced mental health challenges in the past year, underscoring the urgency of this issue. Beyond corporate spaces, mental health in the unorganised sector also demands attention. With over 90% of India’s workforce engaged in informal employment—often without legal protections, benefits, or job security, many workers face chronic stress and vulnerability, further exacerbating mental health concerns.

IMHA believes that it is essential to integrate mental health into diverse industries, as well as to build capacity among leaders and policymakers to create supportive workplace cultures.