How to help a coworker with mental health problems
It's almost certain that some of your colleagues have experienced a mental health issue at some point in their working lives, possibly in the form of common disorders like stress, anxiety, or depression. According to the World Health Organization , 15% of working-age adults had a mental health disorder in 2019, and in a 2022 study by APD Research , 67% of participants reported experiencing work-related stress at least once a week, with 15% feeling stressed daily.
Workplaces are spaces for socialization and interpersonal relationships, where people spend many hours, and it is important to be able to generate relationships of trust, help, and support.
Obertament already noted in 2016 that many people with mental health problems reported having experienced unfair treatment at work (40.6%), manifested in various ways (mockery, overprotection, condescension, undervaluing their professional abilities, mistrust, avoidance, or even dismissal). This can lead many of these individuals to hide their mental health problems at work, especially from management.
Why are we ashamed to say that we go to a mental health center?
When there's a trusting personal relationship, such as the one that might exist within a work team, it's usually easier for people to explain that they have a mental health problem. Therefore, the first step in supporting them is to create this atmosphere and this trusting relationship so that the person feels comfortable enough to talk about it.
Although whether or not a coworker has a mental health problem shouldn't change how we treat them, knowing about it can help us understand them better.
To maintain this trust, one must be mindful of the place and time in which one speaks, maintain an open and welcoming attitude, and respect the intimacy and privacy of what the other person shares.
Practice active listening
When someone confides in us about a mental health issue, it's crucial that they feel well cared for—that is, heard, supported, and not judged. Actively listening involves showing empathy, maintaining eye contact while speaking, and paying close attention to what they say and try to communicate, asking questions whenever necessary to clarify and avoid misunderstandings. It's essential that they feel you are present and available to support them. You can ask clearly how you think they can be helped, how they might recognize warning signs, and how you can support them during this time. Avoid morbid questions and engage in conversations that don't always revolve around mental health (shared hobbies, for example).
It is also important to convey hope to the person and reinforce it positively, avoiding paternalism or overprotection, promoting their autonomy and responsibility, and trusting in their ability to cope with adverse situations. It is best not to tell them what to do or give advice, unless they ask for it, and their decisions and preferences must be respected.
The Mental Health Federation of Catalonia offers some phrases that may be helpful:
- "Perhaps I'm not able to fully understand how you feel, but I care about you and I want to help."
- "Tell me, how can I help you?"
- "Talk to me, I'm listening."
- "You are not alone, I am here with you."
It is also recommended that employees receive training and education on mental health to improve their knowledge and to identify and avoid prejudice and stigmatizing attitudes toward mental disorders. This training can be provided by the organization or workplace itself, or by external entities, and will help to build trust and supportive relationships in the workplace.
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