How to support a colleague with a mental health concern

It can be hard to know what to do when someone you work with seems to be struggling. You may worry about saying the wrong thing or overstepping. The good news is that you do not need to be an expert to support a colleague. A caring, private conversation and a nudge toward help can make a real difference.

This guide covers signs to look for, how to start the conversation, what to say, and when to get urgent help.

Why it matters

Most of us spend a lot of our week at work, so colleagues are often among the first to notice when someone is not okay. That can include problems outside work, such as a relationship breakdown, money stress or a death in the family.

Mental health concerns are common. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that 21.5% of Australians aged 16 to 85 had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months. Anxiety disorders were the most common.

Early support can help someone feel less alone and more likely to seek help. You do not have to solve their problems. Your role is to notice, listen and help them connect with support.

Signs a colleague may be struggling

Everyone has off days. What matters more is a change from how the person usually is, especially if it lasts for a couple of weeks or more. You might notice:

• withdrawing from colleagues, skipping breaks or social events
• seeming tired, flat, tearful, irritable or on edge
• more mistakes, missed deadlines or trouble concentrating
• arriving late, leaving early or taking more sick days
• working very long hours or seeming unable to switch off
• drinking more, or changes in appearance or self-care
• talking about feeling hopeless, trapped or like a burden

These signs do not tell you what is going on. They may be linked to stress, grief, health issues, caring responsibilities or something at work. They are simply a reason to check in.

How to start the conversation

Mental Health First Aid Australia’s action plan starts with approaching the person and assessing whether there is a crisis. Some practical tips:

• Pick your moment. Choose a private place and a time when neither of you is rushed. A walk or a coffee can feel less formal.
• Be genuine. Say what you have noticed and why you are asking. For example, “You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is everything okay?”
• Accept their answer. If they do not want to talk, do not push. Let them know the door is open: “No worries. I’m around if you ever want to chat.”
• Check in again. Some people need time before they open up.
• If you work remotely. A phone or video call can work well. Send a friendly private message first and suggest a quick call, rather than raising your concern in a group chat.

What to say, and what to avoid

Helpful things to do

• Listen more than you speak, and be comfortable with silence.
• Ask open questions, such as “How long have you been feeling like this?” or “What has been hardest?”
• Show you have heard them: “That sounds really tough.”
• Ask how you can help: “What would be useful right now?”

Things to avoid

• Telling them to “cheer up”, “snap out of it” or “look on the bright side”
• Guessing at a diagnosis or offering your own theory about what is wrong
• Jumping in with solutions before you understand the problem
• Comparing their experience with yours or someone else’s
• Raising your concerns in front of others, such as in a team meeting
• Promising to keep everything secret if there is a risk to their safety

Beyond Blue has more examples of what to say.

If you are worried about suicide

If a colleague talks about feeling hopeless, being a burden or not wanting to be here, ask them directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Beyond Blue notes that asking about suicide does not put the idea in someone’s head. It can be a relief for the person to be asked.

If they say yes:

• stay with them, or make sure someone else is with them
• listen calmly and take them seriously
• help them contact a crisis service, their GP or a mental health professional

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can also call the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Encouraging help and support at work

Professional support

You might suggest:

• seeing a GP, who can talk through options and, if appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan
• speaking with a psychologist or counsellor
• using your workplace’s employee assistance program (EAP), which usually offers free, confidential counselling

Offer practical help if they would like it, such as finding a phone number or sitting with them while they make a call. Respect their choices, even if they are not ready yet.

Privacy and your manager

Keep what they share private. Encourage them to speak with their manager or HR if work is part of the problem or if changes at work might help, such as flexible hours or a temporary change in duties. Only share information without their consent if there is a serious risk to someone’s safety.

If you are a manager, you have extra responsibilities, including managing workplace hazards and considering reasonable adjustments. Our article on Mental Health First Aid for leaders and boards explains more.

Stay in touch over time

Support is rarely a single conversation. Recovery often has ups and downs, so ongoing, low-key contact helps. You could:

• check in privately every so often, with a simple “How are things going?”
• keep inviting them to lunches, meetings and team events, even if they sometimes say no
• offer practical help, such as covering a task while they attend an appointment, if your manager agrees
• notice and acknowledge small positive steps
• avoid gossip, and gently shut it down if others speculate about their health

If things seem to be getting worse, or you notice new warning signs, check in again and encourage them to reconnect with professional support.

Look after yourself too

Supporting someone can be draining. It is okay to set limits, to not be available all the time, and to seek support yourself, including through your EAP.

Invictus Health 能提供哪些協助

我們的 Mental Health First Aid course teaches practical skills for supporting someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis. Organisations can also book training through our workplace programs.

If you or a colleague would like to talk with someone, our counsellors and psychologists offer sessions in person at Preston or by telehealth across Australia. You can 預約 directly.

This article is general information. For advice about a particular situation, speak with a qualified health professional.