Every year, 10th October is celebrated as World Mental Health Day, where awareness of mental health issues is raised around the world and efforts are mobilized to support these issues. It seems like we’re living in an era characterized by the fast pace of modern life in a post-COVID-19 world and the ever-present pressure to conform.
According to a 2022 report by Deloitte, poor mental health has a profound impact on the workplace. The report estimated that poor mental health among employees cost Indian companies about $14 billion annually. And in a world that constantly demands adaptation, where the masks professionals wear can sometimes be as heavy as the burdens they carry, it can be Herculean to stay authentic.
Authenticity is not just about embracing one’s uniqueness, vulnerabilities and quirks, it’s, also, about being courageous enough to bring one’s true self to work, even in an environment that often prioritizes conformity. When change is a constant in the modern workplace, can authenticity fuel innovation? What is the role of authenticity in nurturing mental health? How can there be a call to action to urge people to embrace their authentic selves and be part of workplaces that are conducive to their mental health?
In this episode of CAM Radio, psychotherapist Ashika Mehta and our Principal Associate Saloni Shroff explore authenticity and mental well-being in the workplace, childhood experiences and trauma shaping adult behaviour and a sense of self, tools to unpack past experiences that shape people and hinder their growth as professionals, the psychological motivation behind adaptive behavior, the “fake it till you make it” phenomenon and more.
