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Voices of Leadership: Inspiring Quotes on Mental Health from Industry Leaders

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we bring together powerful quotes from leaders across industries. Their insights underscore the importance of mental well-being in the workplace, emphasizing empathy, resilience, and support. From CEOs to founders, these thought leaders share their perspectives on how prioritizing mental health can foster stronger, more productive organizations and inspire personal growth.

 

Vaishnavi Shukla, HR Head, Comviva
“On World Mental Health Day, it’s essential to acknowledge the increasing significance of mental well-being in our professional lives. In India, the corporate sector is making notable progress in tackling the stigma associated with mental health, creating a supportive work environment, and offering vital resources for employees’ mental well-being. At Comviva, we are committed to fostering a healthy workplace environment by offering comprehensive wellness benefits, promoting work-life balance. Through initiatives like Paid Sabbatical program and collaboration with YourDOST, a mental health platform, Comviva prioritizes personal growth and mental well-being, setting a benchmark in nurturing the overall health and happiness of its workforce.”

Rahul Sahay, Senior Vice President- HR, Virtusa Corporation
“On World Mental Health Day 2024, with the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,’ we emphasize the critical need for mental well-being in professional settings. At Virtusa, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of empathy, support, and open communication. Through initiatives that destigmatize mental health, provide expert counseling, and offer stress management resources, we create an environment where individuals can flourish. By creating a supportive, inclusive, and engaging work culture, we also empower our employees’ mental health, where every individual feels valued, motivated, and equipped to excel professionally and personally. Providing a safe, secure, and healthy workspace for our workforce is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring they thrive in every aspect of their journey with us.”

Rohan Sylvester, Talent Strategy Advisor at Indeed India
“At Indeed, we know how important mental well-being is, especially in today’s always-on world. With work spilling into personal time, stress and burnout are real concerns. In fact, according to our recent survey, 88% of employees surveyed say they’re contacted outside work hours, and 85% even when they’re on sick leave or holidays. Many worry that ignoring these messages could hurt their career growth. However, 79% of Indian employers think a “right to disconnect” policy would be a step in the right direction.

Setting boundaries between work and personal life is more than a nice gesture—it’s essential for protecting mental health. By fostering a healthier work culture, businesses can not only reduce burnout but also show employees they care about their well-being. This will lead to happier teams and stronger retention.”

Abha Dandekar, Founder, Elephant in the Room Consulting
“The topic of workplace mental health has gained prominence in recent years and this has been advanced by the new generation joining the workforce. There is a lot more emphasis on mental well-being, taking precedence over conventional must-haves such as good salary, benefits, facilities and so on. Organizations are starting to recognize that a culture that actively safeguards, encourages and embraces well-being is not just an obligation but also essential for high-performing teams and business longevity. In order to create substantial impact, organizations need to have a strategic long-term approach to integrate wellbeing into the very fabric of the workplace.”

Darshil Shah, Founder and Director, TreadBinary
“Encouraging mental wellness resilience in the workplace goes beyond managing the stress of work—it’s about cultivating a culture where employees feel supported, empowered and valued. While workplaces once focused primarily on physical labor, today’s demands involve significant mental exertion, which can contribute to physical health issues if not addressed. Promoting open communication and empathy is essential to fostering a healthy work environment, alongside encouraging work-life balance, mental wellness initiatives, and recognizing achievements. By prioritizing these elements, organizations can create an atmosphere where employees can effectively manage challenges, leading to a healthier and more productive workplace.”

Mr Amit Jain, CEO, TeamLease HCM
“The workplace is one of the primary sources that directly impacts the mental well-being of an individual. Toxic work culture, lack of leadership involvement, poor accountability for work, and limited resources lead to stress, depression, and anxiety for the employees.

Employers need to create a culture that promotes mental well-being so that employees feel safe, secure, respected, and valued at the workplace. Technology already provides many tools to do it. There are employee engagement platforms to promote connections among individuals, survey platforms to gauge the mental health of the workforce, and rewards and recognition platforms to make employees feel valued and respected. Employers only need to create their plan to promote mental health, and they can easily find a tech solution to support it.”

 

Mr. Abraham George, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, Ennoventure, Inc
’World Mental Health Day 2024 presents a timely opportunity to reflect on the vital role mental well-being plays in our lives. This year’s theme, ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’, highlights the profound connection between our emotional health and the environments we work in. It’s not just a call for organizations to strengthen their support systems, but also a reminder to prioritize well-being in our communities and personal lives. Acknowledging the significance of emotional and psychological health is crucial to cultivating a culture of support and understanding.

At Ennoventure, Inc., we are deeply committed to cultivating an inclusive and empowering environment where mental well-being is valued as an integral part of our work culture, and stigmas are actively challenged. Our goal is to equip teams with the resources and support they need to thrive, both personally and professionally. By investing in wellness initiatives, we not only enhance individual lives but also create a more innovative and resilient organization.

On this World Mental Health Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to creating healthier workplaces where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Together, we can build a culture that champions well-being and drives lasting change.’’

Mr. Amol R. Deshmukh, Founder and CEO of MedRabbits Healthcare
’As we observe World Mental Health Day 2024, it is essential to emphasize the importance of mental wellness, particularly for the elderly. Aging often brings significant changes and challenges that can deeply impact emotional health. At MedRabbits Healthcare, we understand these unique challenges and are dedicated to building a system that supports the mental well-being of seniors.

While this year’s theme focuses on mental health in the workplace, we believe the conversation should also extend to the elderly. Mental health is an integral part of overall well-being, and prioritizing it for seniors can help them lead more meaningful lives. By addressing their emotional and psychological needs, we can reduce isolation and foster stronger community connections. Our goal is to create an environment that provides comprehensive mental health care, ensuring seniors have access to the support they need.

As we advocate for workplace mental health, let’s also commit to enhancing the mental well-being of our senior citizens. Together, we can work to remove the stigma around mental health and create a nurturing environment that values the emotional health of every generation. Supporting the unique needs of the elderly is a responsibility we must embrace to promote a healthier, more inclusive society.’’

Mr. Rohan Rai, Co-Founder, Edupull
“As students step into new chapters of their lives—whether moving abroad for education or starting a new job—mental health awareness is more important than ever. These transitions can be exciting, but they often come with challenges, from adapting to unfamiliar environments to managing new responsibilities. Recent research shows that mental health issues affect 19% of adults, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year, yet only half of those affected receive the help they need. This is largely due to the stigma still surrounding mental health.

For students and young professionals, the pressure to succeed in new academic or professional settings can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and self-doubt. These struggles are rarely discussed, but they can have a deep impact on well-being. In such times, one cannot stress enough the importance of words of affirmation—repeating positive truths about your abilities can shift your mindset and help combat feelings of inadequacy. Reminding yourself that you are capable, resilient, and worthy can be a powerful tool to counter self-doubt. Another crucial thing is setting realistic goals—breaking larger tasks into manageable steps reduces the burden of pressure and makes challenges more approachable. And always remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of strength.

At Edupull, we believe that supporting students is about more than just academics. It’s about empowering them to care for their mental and emotional well-being, too. By fostering a culture where mental health is prioritized, we can help students not just survive but truly thrive in whatever path they choose.”

 

Monica S Kumar, Social and Development Expert and Founder of BloomBuds ASD Life Trust
World Mental Health Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of understanding and addressing the mental health needs of individuals on the Autism spectrum and their caregivers.  A significant portion of the population suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) battles with unique challenges like higher anxiety, sensory overload, and or difficulty to express their feelings that can impact them in many additional ways than they affect  neurotypical people. To make this condition worse, the caregivers of people with ASD suffer alongside with poor health, stress, and economic burdens.

We are a dedicated group of professionals working to provide positive, nurturing, supportive environment for people with Autism and their caregivers to support their emotional, psychological, and sustenance needs, in order to provide them inclusiveness and help reach their full potential through security and dignity.

It is essential to recognize that mental health is a critical aspect of every individual’s journey, especially for those with neurodevelopment issues. With appropriate understanding, support, and tailored approaches, we can help alleviate some of the overwhelming feelings that many individuals with Autism and their caregivers experience.

This World Autism Awareness Day, let us commit to create more awareness and create an amicable environment along with people and families living with Autism. By advocating for mental health resources and promoting open dialogue about these challenges, we can help destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, enabling families to seek the support they need. Together, we can build a brighter future where every individual is empowered to navigate their mental health journey with confidence and resilience.

 

Dr. Neerja Aggrawal, CEO & Co Founder at Emoneeds Mental Health Platform
Each year, World Mental Health Day serves as a crucial reminder of the mental health challenges that confront us. In India, one in every seven individuals grapples with mental disorders, often surfacing as early as age 14. Tragically, our nation has the highest suicide rate globally, now reaching an alarming 12.4 per 100,000 people—an unsettling record in our ongoing mental health crisis. This dire situation is exacerbated by a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.3 psychiatrists, 0.07 psychologists, and 0.07 social workers available per 100,000 individuals. At Emoneeds, we are dedicated to reversing these distressing trends through our innovative digital platform, designed to cater to the mental and emotional health needs of individuals. Our mission is to maximize performance, happiness, and overall quality of life. With a compassionate team of expert psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors, we provide evidence-based therapies tailored to a wide array of challenges, from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illnesses. Emoneeds is committed to transforming mental health care across India, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Dr. Krishna Veer Singh, CEO & Co Founder at Lissun Mental Health Platform
“As we observe World Mental Health Day, it’s imperative to recognize the profound impact mental health issues have on society, especially in the workplace. In India, 80% of the workforce is affected by challenges such as work pressure, burnout, anxiety, and depression, yet access to mental health care remains limited. At LISSUN, we are committed to addressing these challenges by promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and making mental health care accessible within corporate environments. Through our B2B2C model, we partner with organisations to offer tailored, tech-enabled solutions that help employees manage workplace stressors like chronic fatigue, job insecurity, and performance pressure. LISSUN’s comprehensive approach includes employee wellness programs, on-demand counselling services, and proactive mental health assessments, ensuring that interventions are timely and effective. We also provide training for managers to foster supportive work environments and mental health literacy across all levels of the organisation. This World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our mission to prioritise mental health in the workplace, ensuring employees receive timely, confidential, and affordable support to foster healthier, more resilient workforces.”

Raj Nair, General Body Member, Pan IIT Alumni India
“Mental health is a real issue today for many, and one significant factor is the workplace model. Excessive workload and employer-induced stress are different challenges that need to be addressed separately. These issues often persist under certain bosses, in particular companies, and across specific sectors. Employers who don’t self-correct must be held accountable, irrespective of the workplace model.

When it comes to hybrid work, it was widely accepted during the pandemic as a means to maintain employment continuity. However, as the world transitions out of the crisis, new mental health concerns have emerged. One key issue is the blurring boundary between work and personal life, particularly affecting women who juggle professional responsibilities with managing home and family. Additionally, some employees—across both genders—struggle with the loss of flexibility in returning to traditional work models. There’s a mental resistance to reverting to pre-pandemic norms.

Employers who aim to address these problems with empathy have implemented hybrid work models, which can feel like a halfway solution. Just as the traditional system enforced a ‘one size fits all’ approach, hybrid models often do the same. The question is, are there better hybrid models, especially for women with family responsibilities? The answer lies in flexibility—employers should focus more on outcomes rather than merely requiring employees to show up for work. Studies show that employees with clear expectations are 47% less likely to experience burnout, highlighting the importance of well-structured hybrid systems.

To ensure success with flexible hybrid models, companies should prioritize communication, establish clear time-off policies, invest in the right technology, and foster trust. This not only benefits employee well-being but also enhances the employer’s ability to attract talented women who may want to return to work after a career break. It’s a win-win situation for all.”

 

Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work, India
On World Mental Health Day, we must recognize that creating safe spaces for employees to express their mental health challenges is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Our research shows that one in four employees hesitate to speak about stress, anxiety, or burnout, fearing judgment. Despite the increasing availability of mental health benefits such as wellness leaves, holistic wellbeing programs and sensitization workshops—however the low utilization of the counselling services tells us there’s more work to do. As leaders, it’s crucial to create environments where employees feel supported, empowered, and unafraid to be vulnerable. A framework that includes mental health support systems, flexible work arrangements, and spaces for individuals to be their authentic self at work is key to fostering a culture of openness. When employees can bring their whole selves to work, it not only improves their well-being but also enhances engagement, productivity, and overall organizational health. Let’s commit to building workplaces where mental health is one of the key priorities of our leadership approach.

Chris George, CEO and Co-Founder of QubeHealth
We don’t call it “physical” health, so why call it “mental health”? Its ‘health’ and ‘care’ for our team members and it is incumbent upon business leaders to create a workplace that shows that they care, not discriminate and create policies and actions that treat the ‘mental’ with the same importance as the ‘physical’ health. Employees spend more time in their workplace than at home. Employers, perhaps therefore carry the burden that is higher than that of families in removing the stigma associated with mental health, while offering options that are important to their biggest assets – the people. Normalising workplace healthcare management activities – a stress and anxiety test, along with a blood test, as an example of a HR leader’s checklist for the year would be a great place to start.

Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus Crypto Platform
At Giottus, we recognise that mental health of employees is influenced by the culture we build internally. We believe in the positive correlation between mental health and the productivity at work. To ensure this, our managers and teams are encouraged to clearly segregate work and personal timings as well as account for employees’ personal needs that may spring up occasionally. We also seek periodic feedback from our employees to understand how we can make their work hours safer and meaningful.