HCL Healthcare, a leading provider of employer-health services in India, has revealed concerning findings from more than 4,200 emotional wellness consultations conducted across five major companies. The data underscores a growing emotional health crisis among corporate employees and signals an urgent need for organizations to rethink their approach to building emotionally safe and supportive workplaces.

The consultations show that a vast majority of employees are grappling with emotional challenges. Around 84% reported experiencing persistent low moods or depressive thoughts, while 59% showed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety.

Sleep-related issues were also prominent, with nearly half of the respondents getting less than the recommended seven hours of rest each night, and 20% reporting poor sleep quality on a consistent basis.

Mr. Shikhar Malhotra, Director of HCL Corporation and CEO of HCL Healthcare, emphasized that emotional wellbeing has become a critical driver of efficiency and workplace performance. He noted that the root causes of stress are shifting, with more than 60% of employee stress now arising from personal and relationship issues rather than conventional career-related pressures.

According to Malhotra, these silent emotional struggles are draining engagement and undermining trust in the workplace, which, if left unaddressed, can significantly impact overall productivity.

Investing in emotional health, he explained, is not just about compassion—it also offers measurable returns. Organizations that have implemented preventive emotional wellness programs and timely interventions have seen up to 2.5 times return on investment through reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and stronger employee retention.

But beyond economics, he stressed, lies the need for a cultural shift—one that recognizes employees as whole individuals rather than mere professionals. Creating such a culture requires continuous investment in emotional health services, both digital and on-site, supported by data and made easily accessible.

The emotional wellness consultations conducted by HCL Healthcare also revealed deeper issues affecting the workforce. Many employees reported struggling with poor self-esteem, overthinking, and feelings of isolation.

Others were burdened by family pressures and relationship problems. Some dealt with long-standing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Interestingly, only a small proportion of employees attributed their distress to direct career-related stress, indicating that life outside work is often a significant source of emotional turmoil.

These findings, based on a diverse sample of employees with 55% women and 45% men, clearly demonstrate how emotional health impacts every dimension of work life—from productivity and focus to loyalty, innovation, and team dynamics.

HCL Healthcare’s research suggests that businesses must move beyond reactive wellness programs and adopt proactive, culturally embedded emotional support systems. This includes making mental health resources easily available around the clock, fostering a culture where emotional challenges can be discussed openly, and equipping leaders with the emotional intelligence needed to identify and respond to early signs of distress.

The goal, Malhotra asserts, should be to create work environments where employees feel safe, valued, and emotionally supported.

As emotional wellbeing increasingly shapes the future of work, the message from HCL Healthcare is unequivocal: mental health is not just a wellness checkbox—it is fundamental to the health, performance, and sustainability of modern workplaces.