‘Hostile work culture, long hours in office affecting mental health’

‘Hostile work culture, long hours in office affecting mental health’

Pull the plug: The Survey said a phone-based childhood is rewiring the very experience of growing up.Getty Images

Given the direct costs to human welfare, putting mental well-being at the centre of economic agenda is prudent, states the Economic Survey, tabled in Parliament; it suggests highest tax rate on ultra-processed foods, regulation of advertisements

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

New Delhi  01.02.2025 

Overexposure to social media, lack of exercise, not spending enough time with one’s family and overwork (hours exceeding 55-60 per week) have all worsened mental well-being among Indians, said the Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament on Friday by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Hostile work cultures and excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth, states the Survey while highlighting that lifestyle choices, workplace culture and family situations are critical for productivity.

If India’s economic ambitions are to be met, then immediate attention must be given to lifestyle choices that are often made during childhood/youth. “The increase in mental health issues in children and adolescents is often linked to the overuse of the Internet, specifically social media.The phone-based childhood is rewiring the very experience of growing up,” it stated.

Given the direct costs to human welfare, putting mental well-being at the centre of economic agenda is prudent, states the Survey, besides listing a series of mental health initiatives taken by the Centre. “It is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions. India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth,” it said.

Establishing a link between good mental health and clean eating habits, the Survey noted that individuals who rarely consume ultra-processed or packaged junk food have better mental well-being than those who regularly do so.

It also says that those who rarely exercise, spend their free time on social media or are not close to their families have worse mental well-being.

It emphasised the urgent need for school and family-level interventions to encourage healthy pastimes such as meeting with friends and playing outside,and also said that investing time in building close family bonds would go a long way in keeping children and adolescents away from Internet.

Ultra-processed foods

The Survey suggested that the government look at bringing in a higher tax rate for ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and may also consider a ‘health tax’ measure targeted specifically at brands/products that advertise these foods.

It further suggested that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare urgently define nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats to regulate advertising, adopt warning front-of-pack labels (FOPL), and impose stricter marketing restrictions on unhealthy foods, especially targeting children under 18.

Noting that a multi-pronged approach is required to address the concerns emerging from increased inclusion of UPFs in diets, the Survey said that misleading nutrition claims on UPFs need to be tackled and should be brought under the scanner.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India could consider bringing UPFs under regulation with a clear definition and standards, including stricter labelling requirements.