Approach with care

Approach your colleague with care and patience, letting them know you are there for them. Pay attention to signs that they might hurt themselves or others, such as specific comments or concerning behaviours. If necessary, prioritise their safety by helping them seek immediate professional assistance.

Listen without judgement

Be a supportive listener by allowing your colleague to express their feelings without fear of judgement. Avoid dismissing their experiences by saying things like “That’s not real”. Instead, focus on their emotions, saying something like, “It sounds like you’re going through a tough time. I’m here for you”. Listening attentively shows them they are not alone.

Give reassurance and encourage professional help

Encourage your colleague to access professional help, such as a psychiatrist or therapist. If your workplace provides mental health resources, like an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), share this information with them. Offer to help them navigate these resources if needed and remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength.

Encourage self-care and familiar routines

Foster a calm and supportive environment by showing understanding and flexibility. If possible, suggest small, relaxing activities like stepping outside for fresh air or taking short breaks. Regularly check in with them in a non-interfering way to show you care while respecting their comfort zone.

Look for subtle signs

Pay attention to changes in our colleague’s work performance or behaviour, such as showing preoccupation in certain activities, or losing interest in things that they used to enjoy.

Approach with empathy

Talk to our colleague kindly, letting them know we care and that help is available. Practise active listening by giving them our full attention, acknowledging their feelings, and showing empathy. Offer support without judgement and let them know they are not alone in facing their challenges.

We can read more on how we can support others with empathy.

If our colleague is already seeking treatment, check in with them on their progress and provide encouragement.

Encourage our colleagues to seek alternative healthier coping strategies or activities

Suggest healthier coping strategies based on their interest or participate in healthy activities like going for a walk after lunch or joining a fitness class together after work. Finding ways to fill their time with other activities can help them deter from engaging in their addiction.

Be patient and understanding

Depression can drain a person’s energy and drive. At times, our colleagues might appear irritable, impatient, or say hurtful things but try to not take it to heart as these may be due to their condition and not necessarily directed at us.

Here are other things to take note of when our colleagues are not acting in their usual ways:

• Empathise with them
• Know that they are trying their best
• Do not judge or criticise them
• Avoid telling them to be positive or “snap out of it”
• Refrain from blaming them or pressuring them to get well soon

Look out for warning signs of suicide

People with depression may have an increased risk of suicide. Be prepared by knowing the concerning behaviours to look out for. If our colleagues display any signs of suicide, take it seriously and consider seeking professional support.

Manage our expectations and recognise small improvements

Give our colleagues the time that they need to improve. Their progress may sometimes seem insignificant to us (e.g. a decrease rather than complete stop in over washing their hands), but it might have taken a lot for them to accomplish.

We can encourage them to keep trying by consistently acknowledging their small accomplishments and praising them.

Avoid judging or making negative remarks

Try to remain open and refrain from making negative remarks about their behaviours. Show our support by lending a listening ear and encouraging them to share about their struggles.

Be mindful not to accommodate their obsessive thoughts and compulsions

Avoid offering assurance about their obsessive thoughts or helping them perform certain rituals as this will not be in their best interest in the long term.

Remind them that although performing these rituals may make them feel temporarily better, it will worsen their symptoms in the long run. We can also encourage our colleagues to seek professional help if it interferes with their daily lives.

Understand that supporting avoidance or forcing confrontation are not solutions

Avoidance is not helpful for their anxiety in the long run. Try not to help our colleagues avoid situations that they are fearful of (e.g. by taking over their task so they can avoid doing them).

However, remember to practise discretion when doing this. If they start to show extreme fear, refrain from forcing them to confront the fear as it could cause them additional distress and affect their trust in us.

Encourage them to focus on things that they can control

Help our colleagues learn to identify what they can and cannot control. Being able to divert their attention and energy towards what can be controlled will help them to improve their situation.

Refrain from asking them to stop worrying

Lend our colleagues a listening ear and validate their feelings—instead of asking them to stop worrying. Let them know that it is okay not to be okay at times. We can also guide them to refocus their attention on other activities, like taking a walk, listening to music, or going to a quiet corner where they can calm down.

Make plans to prepare for difficult episodes

Mood episodes can be unpredictable and last for days, weeks, or even longer. This can disrupt and cause significant challenges to the daily lives of our colleagues. Help them identify their triggers, symptoms, and warning signs to discuss ways we can help them to better manage their episodes.

Encourage them to seek treatment

Bipolar disorder can be effectively treated with medication and support from healthcare professionals. Reassure our colleagues and let them know that we will be there to support them. We can also encourage them to adhere to their prescribed treatments so they can better manage their symptoms.

Be aware of the warning signs of suicide

Our colleagues with bipolar disorder may have an increased risk of suicide. We can stay alert and prepared by learning to look out for concerning behaviours.