The tragic suicide of a Chartered Accountant (CA) working for EY (Ernst & Young) in India has sent shockwaves through the nation, reigniting conversations about mental health, work-life balance, and the social pressures that young professionals face today. While the specifics of the individual case may not be publicly known in full, it sheds light on larger systemic issues related to mental health, societal pressures, family dynamics, and the changing landscape of professional life in India.
The importance of addressing such concerns is urgent, as India continues to see a disturbing rise in cases of suicide, particularly among young professionals and students. The intersection of high expectations, cutthroat competition, and limited emotional support networks can create a perilous situation for individuals navigating these waters.
The Changing Nature of Pressure: A Volatile Generation?
A fundamental question arises: why are we witnessing an increase in cases where young people are unable to handle stress, failure, and pressure? What are the deeper societal and familial causes behind this?
The Achievement-Oriented Society
India, like many other countries, has increasingly become an achievement-oriented society. This mentality manifests in the high expectations placed on young people, starting from early education and continuing into their professional careers. Success is often narrowly defined by societal markers: academic excellence, high-paying jobs, promotions, and material wealth. The intense competition to secure seats in prestigious institutions and land coveted positions in multinational corporations like EY can create an unsustainable burden on individuals.
While ambition and the desire to succeed are natural, the problem arises when the individual's worth is tied solely to these external measures. The fear of failure becomes unbearable because, in such a scenario, it is not just a setback but an existential crisis. The stigma around failure in both personal and professional life pushes people into a mental space where they feel trapped.
Parental and Societal Expectations
In many cases, the expectations of parents, relatives, and society exacerbate the problem. Parents, driven by the desire for their children to have a secure and prosperous future, often push them toward prestigious but stressful careers, such as becoming a CA. While parental encouragement is necessary, it can sometimes morph into pressure that leads to burnout. When parents equate their child's success with societal validation, they inadvertently place undue pressure on them to meet those expectations.
Moreover, in a social environment that values external success over personal well-being, the emotional needs of young people often go unaddressed. There is a general lack of conversations around mental health, particularly in traditional family settings, which can result in individuals bottling up their emotions and resorting to extreme actions when they feel overwhelmed.
The Role of Family: A Cushion to Prevent Such Tragedies
The family, in many ways, can be the most important unit of emotional and mental support. However, it can either serve as a buffer against external pressures or, in some cases, become another source of stress. The key lies in parenting approaches and family dynamics.
Emotional Intelligence and Open Communication
Parents play a critical role in shaping a child's ability to handle stress and failure. One of the most important aspects of this is fostering emotional intelligence from a young age. Emotional intelligence includes the ability to understand and manage one's emotions, as well as empathize with others. Parents who cultivate a home environment where emotions are acknowledged and discussed openly help their children develop the tools to cope with adversity.
Open communication within the family can serve as a major deterrent to extreme actions like suicide. Children and young adults who feel they can speak to their parents without fear of judgment or reprimand are more likely to reach out when they are struggling. This openness needs to extend beyond surface-level conversations to deep, empathetic discussions about stress, failure, mental health, and life’s challenges. By listening actively and validating their child's experiences, parents can offer a vital outlet for emotional release and problem-solving.
Teaching Resilience and Failure as Part of Growth
One of the most important lessons parents can teach is that failure is not the end of the world but rather an integral part of personal and professional growth. By normalizing failure, parents can remove the stigma associated with it and help their children understand that setbacks are opportunities for learning and improvement.
Indian society, traditionally, has not been very forgiving when it comes to failure, often associating it with shame and defeat. However, as the world of work and life becomes more complex, it is essential that parents help their children develop resilience—the ability to bounce back from difficulties. By instilling this mindset from a young age, families can arm the next generation with the mental tools necessary to navigate life's inevitable challenges without feeling defeated or isolated.
The Family as a Safe Space
The concept of the family as a "safe space" is crucial in preventing emotional distress from spiraling into despair. A safe space is one where an individual feels accepted and loved, regardless of their achievements or failures. It is a place where they can express their fears, anxieties, and vulnerabilities without fear of rejection or mockery.
In many traditional families, however, this safe space is compromised by rigid expectations and authoritarian parenting styles, which can make children feel as though they must constantly prove their worth. In contrast, families that prioritize unconditional love and support can act as a strong buffer against the external pressures of life.
Parents should focus on creating an environment where their children feel secure, both emotionally and psychologically. This means being available for conversations, offering encouragement without conditions, and reinforcing the idea that their child's value is not dependent on professional success or societal validation.
The Role of Society in Shaping Fragile Identities
The family's influence on a child’s mental health and emotional resilience cannot be overstated, but societal factors also play a significant role. Modern society, particularly in urban settings, has created an environment where individual worth is closely tied to professional achievements and external validation. Social media, in particular, exacerbates this by creating a constant comparison loop where individuals measure themselves against the perceived success of others.
This culture of comparison breeds insecurity and a constant need for validation, leaving many feeling inadequate. For young professionals working in high-stress environments, like the CA who worked for EY, this adds an additional layer of mental strain. They are not only competing with peers in their immediate surroundings but are also feeling the pressure to keep up with a global narrative of success that is often unrealistic and unsustainable.
Mental Health Awareness and Institutional Support
Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress are often stigmatized in India, especially in the workplace. While there have been improvements in recent years, including more open conversations around mental health, much work remains to be done. Many professionals still avoid seeking help due to fear of judgment or repercussions in their careers.
Workplaces like EY, and other high-pressure industries, must take on a more active role in promoting mental well-being. Employee assistance programs, mental health counsellors, stress management workshops, and the promotion of a healthy work-life balance are necessary to reduce the emotional toll of demanding jobs. Organizations must recognize that employee productivity is directly linked to mental health and well-being; and make systemic changes to reduce burnout and stress.
Conclusion: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Preventing Tragedies
The tragic suicide of the EY CA underscores the importance of a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. While many factors contributed to this unfortunate incident, the role of family, parenting, and societal pressures cannot be ignored. Families must serve as emotional safety nets, teaching resilience, emotional intelligence, and the value of failure as a learning tool. Parenting that emphasizes unconditional love, open communication, and emotional support can create the necessary foundation for a generation that is better equipped to handle life’s pressures.
At the same time, societal and institutional changes are needed to reduce the pressure placed on young professionals. Employers must prioritize mental health, creating work environments where stress is managed, and support is readily available. Society, too, must shift away from its obsession with success at all costs, recognizing that mental well-being is as important as professional achievement. Ultimately, preventing such tragedies requires a collective effort from families, employers, and society at large. Only by addressing the root causes of pressure, insecurity, and mental health stigma can we hope to prevent future incidents and create a more supportive environment for young professionals.
Manika Kamthan is a lawyer by training, an academician by profession, and a mother by choice. She works with the School of Law, UPES, Dehradun. She is a cinephile and loves reading.
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