Rewriting the Story: Fostering Safe, Supportive Workplaces in Media

Summary

The media and entertainment industry thrives on creativity, speed, and relentless pressure often at the cost of employee well-being. 1to1help’s targeted mental health intervention helped break long-standing stigma, enabled early support through leadership and manager engagement, and provided accessible, multilingual counselling across geographies. With increased awareness, proactive participation, and a sharp drop in high risk cases, the sector is witnessing a quiet but powerful cultural shift: where emotional resilience is valued as much as professional output.

Overview

The Indian media and entertainment industry, valued at ₹2.3 lakh crore in 2023, is among the fastest-growing globally and employs over 5 million professionals. However, behind the glamour lies a high-pressure ecosystem marked by long hours, digital disruption, and a 24x7 work culture—leading to chronic stress and burnout. Structured mental health support remains largely absent across the sector.

What the Headlines Don’t Tell You

They chase breaking news, but no one talks about what’s breaking them. Media professionals navigate relentless deadlines, trauma-inducing coverage, creative burnout, and the constant pressure to perform.

Ironically, in an industry built on communication, mental health remains a taboo subject. Vulnerability is masked. Help-seeking is rare. The result is a silent crisis.

This case study explores how 1to1help is rewriting that narrative by partnering with media organisations across India to build psychologically safe, resilient workplaces.

1to1help’s Approach to the Media Sector  

Recognising the unique challenges of this sector, 1to1help designed industry-relevant, compassionate interventions. Through longstanding partnerships with media organisations, their mental health programmes are tailored for fast-paced, high pressure work environments.

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Mental Health in the Media Industry: A Sector Under Strain

The 1to1help report on the media industry underscores a concerning trend: professionals in this sector exhibit significantly

While it is encouraging that individuals are seeking help, the data also reveals systemic stressors, particularly among women and those in the 26–35 age group, likely tied to the high-pressure, always-on nature of media work.

Alarmingly, a large proportion of users fall into high or moderate risk categories, far out weighing the general working population. This suggests that preventive mental health measures may be lacking.

The dominance of:

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as counselling themes reflects not just individual vulnerabilities but also the mental toll of a fast paced, often under-supported work environment. This signals an urgent need for structural interventions, beyond individual counselling, to create psychologically safer workplaces in the media sector.

Key Interventions

• Integrated, Seamless Access
  Single Sign-On (SSO) enabled smooth, secure access to mental health tools.
• Support tailored in local languages for broader reach and impact
  Regional language counselling ensured inclusive support across geographies and roles.
• Proactive Risk Management
  Suicide prevention protocols have successfully reduced high-risk cases.
• Protecting well-being at home
  Family coverage extends the safety net, acknowledging the emotional spillover beyond work.
• Awareness and Assessments
  Custom campaigns promoted use of tools like Stress Tests and Burnout Assessments. Cohort-specific sessions increased EAP visibility and normalised emotional dialogue.
• Manager-Led Interventions
  Sensitisation programs trained managers to recognise distress early. Referral systems ensured timely professional support.

Engagement Metrics

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Demographic and Emotional Trends

Top Counselling Themes

• Self-development
• Relationship
• Career anxiety
• Marriage
• Parenting

Popular Content

• Workplace well-being
• Confidence
• Stress
• Parenting
• Mental resilience

Most Accessed Assessments

• Mental well-being
• Resilience
• Confidence
• Anxiety
• Work-life balance

Webinar Topics That Resonated

• Mindfulness
• Anxiety management
• Nutrition
• Crisis coping
• Managerial support strategies

Pandemic Impact

During the pandemic, utilisation spiked up to 5x, reflecting increased emotional strain and the value of immediate, expert support during crises.

Cultural Shift: Breaking the Silence

1to1help's presence catalysed real cultural change. More employees started engaging with counselling and peer support. Conversations about emotional health became accepted in workplaces previously silent on the matter.

Normalising Vulnerability Through Leadership

With leadership openly endorsing well-being initiatives, a culture of psychological safety began to take shape.

1to1help’s structured, compassionate interventions in the Indian media industry are not just improving mental health metrics; they're transforming workplace culture. From breaking the stigma to driving large-scale engagement, this case study stands testament to what’s possible when storytellers are finally given space to tell their own stories with honesty, support, and care.

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Let’s explore how we can support your workforce with a customised solution.

Connect with us today

www.1to1help.com