Mental health issues among employees have become a significant concern, workplace stress, long hours, unrealistic expectations, and a relentless focus on productivity are eroding employee well-being. High-profile incidents, such as the tragic case of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young employee at Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, who died due to overwhelming work pressure, have brought the conversation around workplace mental health to the forefront. Such incidents force employers to reconsider their approaches to employee well-being and create a more supportive environment.

The Tragedy at EY: A Wake-Up Call for Employers

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant, joined EY in early 2024 with dreams of building a promising career. However, the immense pressure of her job quickly began to take a toll. Despite her struggles with anxiety, sleeplessness, and deteriorating physical health, she continued to push herself to meet the company’s high demands. In a letter written by her mother to EY’s leadership, it was revealed how the work environment exacerbated Anna's stress, leaving her with little room to rest and recover. She experienced chest pain, but her worries about workload and not being able to take leave overshadowed any thought of slowing down.

Her death, which sparked outrage and deep introspection across the corporate sector, underscores the urgent need for companies to reassess their work culture and its impact on employee mental health. It has highlighted the dangers of unchecked workloads, lack of managerial support, and an atmosphere where employees fear speaking up about their struggles. In response, many companies, including other "Big Four" firms are now taking steps to improve their workplace policies and culture.

Mental Health at Work: The Broader Picture

The tragic loss of life at EY is not an isolated incident. Across industries, mental health challenges are becoming more common as employees grapple with high expectations, long hours, and workplace stress. According to studies, mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and burnout, have steadily risen over the past decade, particularly among professionals in high-pressure industries like finance, law, and technology.

Employees experiencing mental health issues often feel isolated, fearing that admitting to these challenges might be seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. This can lead to a vicious cycle where employees push themselves beyond their limits, exacerbating their condition. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace prevents many from seeking help.

The Role of Employers in Supporting Employee Well-Being

Employers have a pivotal role to play in creating a work environment that prioritizes mental health. A supportive workplace culture not only helps employees feel valued but also improves productivity, reduces turnover, and enhances overall job satisfaction. Below are several strategies that employers can adopt to support mental health in the workplace:

Foster an Open Dialogue - Encouraging open conversations about mental health is critical to breaking the stigma associated with it. Employers should provide channels through which employees can freely discuss their mental health concerns without fear of judgment or retribution. Regular check-ins between managers and employees can help identify early signs of burnout or mental distress. Creating an environment where employees feel safe discussing their challenges is the first step toward a healthier workplace.

Implement Flexible Work Policies - Workplace flexibility is an essential tool for reducing stress. Allowing employees to choose flexible work hours, work from home, or take mental health days can help reduce burnout. Flexibility empowers employees to manage their time and workload better, balancing their personal and professional responsibilities. Especially post-pandemic, remote work or hybrid models have proven to contribute significantly to employee well-being.

Provide Access to Mental Health Resources - Employers should ensure that employees have access to mental health services. This could include offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), providing access to counselors or therapists, or organizing workshops on stress management and coping mechanisms. At some firms, mental health check-ups, well-being leave, and confidential helplines have already been implemented, showing a proactive approach to employee wellness.

Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance - Employers must actively encourage a work-life balance by setting reasonable expectations for after-hours work, limiting weekend communication, and discouraging excessive overtime. Recognizing the need for downtime allows employees to recharge, ultimately boosting their performance in the long term. Employers can take inspiration from some companies that have introduced ‘no-meeting’ days or limited meetings to particular hours of the day.

A Path Forward

The lessons from incidents like the one at EY emphasize that employee well-being must be a priority, not an afterthought. While many organizations are beginning to make changes, these reforms must be substantive and sustained over time. Token gestures will not suffice. Workplaces that actively promote mental health, provide resources, and foster an environment of open communication will not only save lives but also thrive in terms of productivity and innovation.

Employers should remember that supporting mental health is not just about responding to crises but about creating an everyday culture of wellness and respect. The ripple effects of a healthy work environment are felt throughout the organization—higher morale, stronger employee loyalty, and a better bottom line.

Dementia is one of the most common cognitive diseases people are affected by. Dementia is an umbrella term used to define various cognitive disabilities that affect a person’s memory, thinking as well and behavioral capabilities. About 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, many of whom do not have enough resources to get the proper treatment. It is a disease with no cure; however, you can control its symptoms. The cause of this disease is still unknown, but there are many potential links to the disease.

A new study suggests that the bacteria living in our mouths and guts, collectively known as the microbiome, could play a role in Parkinson's disease, particularly in the worsening of memory problems. Researchers reported their findings on June 9th in the journal Gut Microbes.

Gut-Mouth Connection in Cognitive Decline

The study found a specific link between changes in these bacteria and cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients. Notably, the movement of harmful bacteria from the mouth to the gut was associated with Parkinson's patients experiencing a shift from mild memory issues to full-blown dementia.

While researchers aren't yet sure if these bacteria directly cause the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow them to thrive, they believe these microbes might be actively worsening symptoms.

Parkinson's disease is mainly known for causing issues with movement, like shaking, stiff muscles, and trouble with balance. However, as the disease gets worse, people often start to have memory problems.

Bacteria that naturally live in our mouths and guts are increasingly being linked to diseases that affect the brain and nerves. When the way our gut and brain talk to each other – what scientists call the "gut-brain axis" – gets messed up, it can cause inflammation and immune responses that might hurt brain cells. For example, a common type of bacteria found in gum disease has even been pointed to as a possible factor in Alzheimer's disease.

Bacterial Differences and Toxins

For the study, researchers analyzed mouth and gut bacteria from 114 individuals, including Parkinson's patients with mild cognitive impairment and those with dementia. They found clear differences in the types and functions of bacteria between these groups.

Patients with more severe cognitive impairment had a greater presence of harmful bacteria in their gut, many of which appeared to have migrated from the mouth. These bacteria were found to produce toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation, and potentially impact the brain.

New Treatments and Lifestyle Changes

These findings suggest that the toxins produced by these bacteria could serve as "biological markers" to identify Parkinson's patients at higher risk of developing dementia. In the future, these toxins might even become targets for new treatments aimed at protecting the brain by altering the gut environment.

The research also highlights the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors for people with Parkinson's, such as maintaining a good diet and practicing excellent oral hygiene. As Parkinson's progresses, patients may become more reliant on caregivers, and routine practices like oral care and proper nutrition might be neglected.

Promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet, and potentially even targeted probiotic interventions could help improve disease management in Parkinson's. Future research will explore how these bacteria and toxins affect brain function and whether lifestyle changes can help slow or prevent dementia in these patients.

Parents of teens are always complaining about the amount of sleep their kids get. No matter how many hours teens sleep, they always seem tired. However, that is not a coincidence. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, teens experience a natural shift in circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep at their usual time. They also need nine or more hours of sleep every day. That is because they are at a crucial stage of cognitive development, a stage of cognitive maturation, which is supported by appropriate amounts of sleep.

So, what happens when they do not sleep as much? Does it hinder their cognitive development?

A new study reveals that sleep deprivation in teenagers can lead to significant brain changes, potentially increasing impulsive and aggressive behaviors. Published on June 13th in the journal Brain and Behavior, the findings highlight the critical role sleep plays in adolescent brain development and mental well-being.

Default Mode Network and Behavior

This study looked at how sleep affects a special part of the brain called the "default mode network" (DMN). Think of the DMN as your brain's "idle mode" or "daydreaming mode." It's active when you're just relaxing, not trying to focus on something specific, maybe thinking about yourself or letting your mind wander. The researchers found that when teens didn't get enough sleep, the different parts of this daydreaming network became less connected.

These same teens also tended to have more behavior problems. This means they might be more aggressive, have trouble paying attention, or be very hyper. It's like a messy room – when the DMN isn't well-connected, things can get a bit chaotic, leading to difficult behaviors. As one of the main researchers said, how long and how well teens sleep is directly linked to these brain connections, which then predict behavior problems.

Importance of Adolescent Sleep

The default mode network (DMN) is really important for things like thinking about yourself, understanding your own feelings, and being creative. When this network is working well, people can connect ideas better and even understand what others are thinking.

Teenage years are a super important time for the brain to grow and develop. It's like building the foundation of a house – if you don't build it right, the rest of the house might have problems. And sleep is absolutely critical for this brain development. It helps all those brain connections form properly and get stronger. The sad truth is, many teenagers simply aren't getting the good quality sleep they need.

Disparities in Sleep and Behavior

The study also noticed that some groups of teenagers were more likely to get less sleep and have more behavioral problems. This included boys, older teenagers, and kids from certain racial minority groups. This finding suggests that there might be different factors at play that make it harder for these particular groups of teens to get enough sleep, and it highlights a need for more support for them.

It really emphasizes that we need to make sure teenagers get enough good sleep. It's not just about feeling rested; it's about helping their brains develop properly and keeping them mentally healthy.

On World Blood Donor Day, observed every year on June 14, the spotlight turns to the vital act of blood donation—an effort that saves millions of lives each year. Yet, many potential donors still hold back due to confusion or misinformation. To help clear the air, we spoke to Dr. Sangeeta Pathak, Director and Head of Transfusion Medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, about the do’s and don’ts of blood donation. Here’s what we learned.

ALSO READ: Who Can Donate Blood To Whom?

Can Women Donate Blood During Their Period?

This is one of the most common concerns, especially among first-time female donors. According to Dr. Pathak, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, women are advised not to donate during their menstruation, particularly during the 4-5 days of active bleeding. However, they are completely eligible to donate at any other time of the month if they are in good health.

What If You’re Recovering from Illness or Taking Medication?

Health is key when it comes to blood donation. “A person should be completely healthy and free from fever or illness at the time of donation,” says Dr. Pathak. Moreover, certain medications can lead to deferral, and there is a comprehensive list maintained under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. So if you’re on a prescribed course, it’s best to consult a doctor or the blood bank before donating.

Alcohol, Smoking and Blood Donation—What’s the Deal?

While an occasional drinker may not be entirely disqualified, heavy alcohol consumption is a red flag. “Anyone who is under the influence or shows signs of intoxication should not be donating blood,” Dr. Pathak warns. Ideally, toxic substances like alcohol or nicotine should be avoided for several hours before donation, and if there is an emergency and the only available donor has consumed alcohol recently, it's safest to look for another eligible person.

Basic Eligibility: Age, Weight, and Health

• To donate blood in India, you must be:
• 18 to 65 years old (first-time donors should not be older than 60)
• Weigh at least 45 kg (for 350 ml of whole blood)
• Hemoglobin levels of at least 12.5 gm/dl

For apheresis (platelet or plasma donation), the minimum weight is 50 kg, and the age range is 18 to 60 years. Chronic illnesses and poor general health are automatic grounds for deferral.

Tattoos and Piercings: Are You Temporarily Ineligible?

Yes. If you’ve recently had a tattoo or body piercing, you’ll need to wait 12 months before you can donate blood. This is a precautionary step to ensure there’s no risk of transmitting infections.

TO KNOW MORE, READ: How Long After a Tattoo or Piercing Can I Donate Blood?

What to Eat (or Avoid) Before and After Donation

A proper meal before donating is important, but fasting is not advised. “The donor should not be on an empty stomach, and their last meal should be at least four hours before donation,” explains Dr. Pathak. Avoid fatty foods before donating as they can interfere with blood testing. After donation, staying hydrated and consuming a light snack helps restore energy levels quickly.

A Note on Low Hemoglobin

Women, especially, often have concerns about low hemoglobin levels. If your levels are below 12.5 gm/dl, you won’t be allowed to donate—for your own safety. It’s best to get your iron levels checked regularly if you plan to be a repeat donor.

YOU MAY WANT TO READ: Can You Have Anemia By Donating Blood?

Blood donation is a safe, simple, and generous act that can make a life-or-death difference. On this World Blood Donor Day, let’s pledge to stay informed and encourage more people to donate responsibly. As Dr. Pathak says, “With the right awareness and care, we can all contribute to building a healthier, more compassionate society.”