Trauma in India

• Physical health effects
  • Sleep problems (insomnia, nightmares) and fatigue
  • Somatic symptoms (headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension)
  • Possible long-term risk for hypertension or other stress-related illnesses with chronic exposure
• Mental health effects
  • PTSD symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance, hypervigilance
  • Anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings
• Cognitive and concentration effects
  • Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, indecisiveness
• Behavioral changes
  • Increased use of alcohol or other substances, withdrawal, risky or self-harming behaviors
• Relationships and social life
  • Trust issues, isolation, conflicts with family or friends
• Work and daily functioning
  • Reduced productivity, absenteeism, difficulty meeting deadlines and routines
• Coping and resilience
  • With support, some people may develop resilience or experience post-traumatic growth

If you or someone you know is struggling, consider professional help and workplace supports. In India, digital group sessions and assessments (e.g., October) can be helpful options when appropriate, and talking to an EAP or a trusted supervisor can guide access to support. If in crisis or danger, contact local emergency services.

Economic impacts of high trauma stress

• Reduced productivity: absenteeism and presenteeism lower overall output; in India, this can hit both informal and formal sectors differently but overall reduces economic efficiency.
• Higher health and social costs: increased healthcare utilization, disability benefits, and caregiver burden raise public and private expenditures.
• Deterioration of human capital: trauma can impair learning, cognitive function, and skill development, leading to lower lifetime earnings and slower labor market advancement.
• Macroeconomic drag: slower GDP growth, higher unemployment in affected regions, and greater investment uncertainty due to elevated risk perception.
• Inequality and social stability risk: trauma often concentrates among vulnerable groups, widening gaps and potentially increasing social unrest or displacement.
• Mitigation opportunities: trauma-informed workplaces and accessible mental health support (e.g., employee assistance programs, digital group sessions like October) can reduce these losses and support productivity.

• Trauma-informed health system expansion
  • Integrate mental health into primary health care; train ASHAs, ANMs, and general doctors; expand the mental health workforce.
• Disaster/crisis mental health response
  • Pre-disaster psychosocial support; rapid psychological first aid after events; ensure continuity of care and medication access.
• Digital and community-based care (Panda)
  • Scale via tele-mental health, digital screenings/assessments, and digital group sessions; provide culturally appropriate psychoeducation; ensure data privacy and digital literacy.
• Workplace trauma-informed policies
  • Train managers in recognizing trauma responses; establish EAPs, flexible work options, and safe reporting channels.
• Stigma reduction and accessible services
  • Multilingual public campaigns; engage community leaders; reduce barriers to care and promote help-seeking.
• Data-driven planning and sustainable funding
  • National trauma surveillance and outcome monitoring; dedicated mental health budget; evaluate and scale effective programs.

What a company can do to lower trauma-related stress

• Trauma-informed culture and policies

  • Train managers and HR in trauma basics, psychological safety, confidentiality, and consent.
  • Establish a clear, confidential incident response plan with survivor-centric steps.

• Accessible, confidential mental health support

  • Offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), in-house counselling, and confidential teletherapy with language options appropriate for India.
  • Provide scalable options like digital group sessions and self-help content (e.g., October) to reach more staff while maintaining privacy.

• Safe spaces and practical accommodations

  • Create quiet rooms, flexible scheduling, and workload adjustments after traumatic events; offer paid time off as needed.

• Proactive trauma response and debrief protocols

  • Implement timely debriefs (within 24–72 hours after incidents), provide on-site or virtual counselling, and schedule follow-ups to monitor well-being.

• Education, stigma reduction, and leadership engagement

  • Run stigma-reducing campaigns, normalize mental health conversations, and ensure leaders model taking care of their teams; tailor programs to local languages and cultural contexts.