Arete Group has strengthened its focus on employee mental wellbeing through UMatter, a workplace wellbeing programme aimed at encouraging early intervention, open conversations and access to professional counselling support.
The initiative, developed in partnership with MindPeers, is being positioned as part of the company’s broader people practices, with a focus on creating a workplace where employees can discuss mental health concerns and seek support without stigma.
A key component of UMatter is “Counselling Sahi Hai”, an awareness campaign designed to encourage employees to view professional counselling as a proactive form of support rather than something to be sought only during a crisis. The campaign also seeks to encourage conversations around mental wellbeing among employees’ families and social circles.
The programme combines mental-health awareness with confidential counselling and leadership advocacy. Arete’s objective is to make access to support and conversations around wellbeing a more regular part of the workplace culture.
Siraj, director, Arete Group, said, “At Arete Group, we believe an employee-first culture can only thrive when mental wellbeing is treated as a business priority rather than an employee benefit. UMatter was created to translate our values into meaningful action by fostering a workplace where employees feel safe to speak openly, seek support, and grow with confidence. Our goal is not only to provide wellbeing resources but to cultivate a culture where every individual feels genuinely supported.”
Kumud Khulbe, chief human resources officer, Arete Group, said, “People perform at their best when they feel trusted, respected, and supported. Through UMatter, we are embedding mental wellbeing into our workplace culture by encouraging open dialogue, strengthening leadership accountability, and ensuring employees have access to the support they need.”
The initiative comes as organisations increasingly expand employee- wellbeing programmes beyond conventional wellness benefits to include mental health awareness, counselling and manager or leadership involvement.
Through UMatter, Arete aims to integrate these elements into its workplace culture, with the programme focused on awareness, access to professional support and creating greater comfort around conversations on mental health.
