Mentally unstable #1: How to deal with mentally challenged employees?

Workplace health promotion is nothing new anymore. Almost every company with a certain number of employees has an internal or external health promotion program or occasionally incorporates elements of workplace health promotion. The focus is usually on physical fitness, ergonomic conditions in the workplace, as well as exercise and nutrition offerings.

In comparison, attention to mental health in the workplace is relatively younger. Although it has been considered in more traditional approaches to organizational development, it has been rather marginal, such as through job satisfaction, occasional concepts for stress prevention, or efforts for a good work-life balance.

However, how should one act when a person in the work environment appears to be mentally challenged beyond occasional work stress? For instance, if they frequently seem deeply saddened and unmotivated. Or if they report family problems, significantly increase their smoking breaks, or have longer sick leaves. Mental illnesses or psychological distress are still tabu topics in the workplace, often met with fear and avoidance. Yet, it might not take much to support the person. Colleagues, the team itself, or a trusted supervisor can be a valuable resource. The following article will discuss possibilities for assistance as well as the limitations of one's own ability to act.

On Responsibility and Behavior

How do I recognize if a colleague is simply not doing well or perhaps suffering from depression? How do I behave when my employee experiences a panic attack at the workplace? How do I, as a leader, deal with a suicide within the workforce?

There are many questions that can arise regarding one's responsibility and framework for responding to mental stress in one's environment. To clarify upfront: not all of them need to be answered. Often, the first and most important step is to be attentive, and the next is to not look away. By staying attentive to one's surroundings, one is more likely to notice changes in others that may indicate mental health strain. For example, a colleague who is typically cheerful but lately seems irritable, tired, and unreliable. Or an employee who used to take every opportunity to chat in the break room, but now frequently misses work and avoids social interactions when present. There are many nuances that can indicate that the other person is not quite themselves.

Once you notice such changes, it is important not to simply accept them. This doesn't mean confronting a colleague directly about their mental state if they have their coffee with milk instead of black once. However, if the signs accumulate and are observed over a certain period of time, you should consider how to approach the person to find out if they need support. Because usually, that is sufficient, and anything beyond that usually exceeds your own competencies and capacities. Signaling to the person that you see them and care is often helpful and makes it easier to motivate them to seek professional help in the next step.

If you personally don't feel comfortable approaching those affected, you can seek support within your colleagues, for example, from someone you know has a trusting relationship with the person in question. Another option is to utilize resources within the company, such as a designated contact person chosen by the staff, who specializes in handling sensitive matters. If such resources are not yet available, you can advocate for their implementation.

Many people hesitate to address whether everything is okay with someone, which is understandable but not justified. Of course, you are entering sensitive territory and intruding into someone's privacy. However, it is always the right step to take. Even if the person in question may initially feel overwhelmed by it, it is still important to signal to them that their well-being is noticed by their environment and that it matters. However, it is important to carefully consider how, where, and when to initiate the conversation. Choosing a moment and place where a safe and familiar atmosphere can be created is crucial. Additionally, the conversation should not be started at a time when there is little time available in case the conversation deepens or the person suddenly becomes unstable and the situation needs to be managed.

For example, you could ask your colleague or employee if they would like to have a coffee together for lunch and sit in a quiet place. You can also start the conversation casually and bring it up later. Suitable openings could be: "Hey, I've noticed that you haven't been yourself lately and maybe finding work a bit harder. Is everything okay with you? I'm a bit worried." Or "You're usually not so quiet. I'm wondering if you're not feeling well at the moment. Should I be concerned?" Be careful not to include any judgment. The other person should not feel threatened. You can also signal that you are concerned and genuinely asking about their well-being out of honest interest.

When it comes to the person accepting the offer to talk and opening up, the best thing one can do is to listen. Showing that you are there and interested in the well-being of the other person can already be a great help. It is important to recognize your own boundaries in this regard. The goal here is not to replace a therapeutic conversation. It is best to listen without judgment and as minimally as possible in terms of comments. You can also reflect this to your conversation partner by saying that you are not a psychological professional and it is important to seek professional help. Therefore, you should encourage the person as best as possible to seek appropriate support. You can also offer to assist them in finding or organizing an appointment if doing so alone would require too much strength or courage.

Taking care of your mental well-being is just as important

Amidst it all, one should never forget to take care of oneself. Firstly, consider how involved you feel comfortable being in the corresponding responsibility, and where your own limits lie. But above all, try to apply the same care to yourself. When you notice that you are not feeling stable and things are not as easy and joyful as before, it is important to have the courage to seek help and support. We have reached a point where shame and silence should no longer be part of the conversation about mental health and illness.