August 2025
In today’s fast-paced world, high-pressure industries demand long hours, relentless productivity, and unwavering dedication. In many highly skilled professions—such as healthcare, technology, law, and finance—success is often equated with working more. Overwork and unrealistic demands are seen as prerequisites to get ahead.
While this work ethic can lead to professional success, it often comes at a steep cost: mental health. Burnout, chronic stress, and exhaustion are widespread in these sectors, yet many industries fail to address these challenges effectively, neglecting both their workforce and overall productivity. Prioritising mental health in the workplace is essential for fostering a sustainable and supportive environment.
The Toll of Overwork
Excessive workloads have serious mental health consequences, including anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Employees who consistently work long hours with little time for rest and recovery experience cognitive decline, emotional distress, and decreased job satisfaction.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified overwork as a significant risk factor for poor workplace mental health, linking it to increased rates of cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and burnout.
INDUSTRIES AT HIGH RISK
Healthcare
Doctors, nurses, and emergency responders often work grueling shifts with high emotional stakes. Studies show that long hours, emotional fatigue, and exposure to trauma contribute to elevated rates of depression and anxiety among healthcare professionals.
Recently, nearly 200 psychiatrists in the NSW public hospital system warned they would leave the profession due to frustrations with pay and working conditions. In 2023, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) reported that healthcare workers felt overworked, under-resourced, and on the brink of burnout. Many cited bullying, pressure to meet unrealistic targets, and low morale as reasons for leaving the sector [1].
Technology and Finance
The tech industry is notorious for its “hustle culture,” where employees are expected to work around the clock to meet deadlines and drive innovation. While some tech giants have introduced workplace mental health initiatives—such as mindfulness programs and flexible work hours—many employees still experience chronic stress due to job insecurity and intense competition.
Investment banking and corporate finance are also infamous for gruelling hours. Junior analysts often work 80 to 100 hours per week, leading to sleep deprivation and severe mental exhaustion. While some firms have introduced policies to promote work-life balance, such as protected weekends and mental health counselling, the industry remains slow to adopt widespread change and ditch entrenched attitudes towards overwork.
The Stigma Around Seeking Help
Despite growing awareness, workers in high-pressure industries still face stigma around seeking mental health support. A survey of over 1,000 Australian workers found that while many were aware of available mental health services, too few were accessing them [2].
A 2024 study by SuperFriend found that 22% of Australian workers had withheld personal information for fear of being judged by their employer [3].
The legal sector, for example, continues to grapple with embedded attitudes towards overwork and hierarchical power structures. The 2024 Review of Harassment in the Legal Profession in South Australia found that over 40% of respondents had experienced sexual or discriminatory harassment, with one in three experiencing it multiple times. Bullying was the most common form of harassment, yet more than two in three workers chose not to report it due to a lack of trust in workplace processes or fear of retaliation [4].
This culture of silence, combined with excessive workloads, makes the legal profession a high-risk industry for poor mental health.
Addressing the Issue
Despite increasing awareness of workplace mental health issues, many high-pressure industries struggle to implement lasting change. The impact of overwork is undeniable, yet productivity often takes precedence over employee well-being, reinforcing the deeply ingrained attitudes of “hustle culture.”
To foster a healthier workforce, industries must actively combat stigma so that employees feel safe seeking support. Workers must also shift their mindsets and prioritise their mental health at work – which can lead to improved employee satisfaction, retention, and overall morale.
Providing mental health services is just the first step. All workers must feel supported, educated, and encouraged to enhance their mental health literacy and access support when needed. By recognising the true cost of overwork and implementing meaningful changes, industries can create healthier, more productive workplaces.
[1] The NSW mental health care system on the brink, NSW Branch of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2023
[2] ELMO Employee Sentiment Index (ESI), 2024
[3] Insights into ten years of workplace mental health, SuperFriend, 2024
[4] 2024 Review of harassment in the legal profession (SA), Attorney-General’s Department, 2024