ICICI Lombard General Insurance, a private general insurer, today unveiled the 7th edition of its India Wellness Index 2024, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the nation's health and well-being.
ICICI Lombard's wellness index is based on a holistic framework comprising six pillars of well-being: Physical, Mental, Family, Financial, Workplace, and Social. The extensive survey covered a diverse group of respondents, comprising 69 per cent males and 31 per cent females, aged 18 to 50 years.
As world mental health day approaches, below are some key findings from the report:
· Mental wellness among corporate employees stands at 60, significantly lower than the overall population score of 69.
· 80 per cent of Indians experience at least one symptom of stress regularly, with women reporting a higher prevalence.
· On average, Indians experience 2.3 stress symptoms. The most common symptoms are:
o Feeling weak or tired (43%)
o Having trouble sleeping (38%)
o Feeling nervous, restless, or tensed (33%)
· 69 per cent of Indians experience at least one symptom of depression. The most common symptoms are:
o Increased fatigue (30%)
o Hopeless outlook for every work (26%)
o Uncontrollable emotions (24%)
· Individuals who do not experience symptoms of stress or depression have significantly higher mental wellness index (81%) compared to those who do (67%).
· 75 per cent of Indians feel guilty because they can't make time for everything they want, and 73% frequently think about work when they're not working.
· The most common desire among Indians is to be mentally happy and positive (62%).
· 70 per cent of Indians use social media to share or gain insights about mental and physical wellness. Instagram (87%), YouTube (81%), Meta (75%) & Snapchat 45 per cent are the most popular platforms for this purpose.
· Health insurance owners score higher on mental wellness (71) compared to non-owners (66).
· For corporate employees, there's a significant decline in mental wellness, especially in terms of infrastructure (access to counseling, support groups, helplines, doctors, etc.) and awareness (ways to effectively cope with stress and achieve mental well-being). This decline is particularly high for women and those in Tier 1 cities.
