In a viral Reddit post, an employee at a Mumbai-based mental health NGO reported workplace toxicity after being denied support during a health-related request. The incident occurred in December 2025, involved internal team communication, and matters due to the organisation’s role in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.
Toxic work culture in NGOs comes under scrutiny
The workplace toxicity surfaced after the Reddit user asked for temporary coverage of a one-hour Sunday workshop. The request cited severe physical pain. However, the response focused on reputation concerns rather than health needs.
Soon after, the employee continued scheduled duties. These included weekend training sessions at a college. The programme ran across two days. Working hours extended beyond the NGO’s stated weekday schedule.
Workplace toxicity reflected in workload expectations
The user reported that the NGO follows Monday-to-Friday hours on paper. Yet, weekly Sunday workshops continue with partner organisations. As a result, boundaries between workdays and rest days remain unclear.
“I had no choice but to attend, despite dying from the pain because of my period but I still finished my responsibilities,” the user said. “No ‘take care’ or ‘it’s fine’. No feedback on our work yesterday and the day before.” she added.
Silence deepens employee burnout risks
Equally concerning was the absence of feedback. There was no acknowledgement of recent work. There was no expression of care. Instead, silence shaped the response.
In emotionally demanding roles, such patterns increase burnout risks. Therefore, Such conditions do not only affect morale. They also influence long-term employee wellbeing.
Workplace toxicity raises accountability questions
Across the social sector, passion-driven roles often blur limits. Over time, these patterns become accepted as routine. This trend remains visible even within mental health organisations.
Mental health advocacy must begin internally. Without internal care systems, credibility weakens. For this reason, addressing workplace toxicity remains essential for sustainable mental health work.The episode has prompted renewed discussion about internal safeguards, staff support mechanisms, and whether mental health organisations apply the same care standards to employees as they do publicly.
